Ministers have warned that Scottish independence would weaken UK and NATO security in the North Atlantic and Arctic, amid growing concern over Russian and Chinese activity in the High North.
Speaking in the Commons, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns responded to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald on the UK’s responsibilities in the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap, a critical maritime choke point for NATO. Carns argued that fragmentation of the UK would undermine collective defence at a time of heightened geopolitical risk.
“An independent Scotland would weaken not just the security of the UK—of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland—but the whole European security architecture and NATO as a whole,” he said, adding that such a move would come at a moment when security challenges in the North Atlantic were intensifying.
Carns said that the UK effectively had a frontline with Russia in the North Atlantic, pointing to increased Russian naval and submarine activity near critical national infrastructure. He emphasised that NATO forces closely monitor such movements and that allied vessels operate routinely in response. The Minister also set out the Government’s assessment of the changing strategic environment in the Arctic, describing the region as increasingly contested as climate change opens new sea routes and access to resources. He noted that Russia controls more than half of the Arctic coastline and has expanded its military presence by reopening Cold War-era bases and establishing a new northern joint strategic command.
“Russian submarine activity is nearing the highest levels since the Cold War,” Carns said, adding that developments in the Arctic directly affected UK security, particularly through activity in the GIUK gap involving surface and sub-surface vessels and aircraft.
Related concerns were raised in the House of Lords, where former Foreign Office minister Lord Swire questioned the Scottish National Party’s position on defence. He highlighted the apparent tension between support for Faslane as a naval base and opposition to nuclear weapons in an independent Scotland. Responding, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said that thousands of jobs in Scotland depended on the UK’s nuclear deterrent and associated submarine programmes. He also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in the SNP’s defence policy.
“The SNP needs to be reminded that NATO is a nuclear alliance,” Lord Coaker said, noting that the party had previously opposed NATO membership before changing its stance.
Ministers in both Houses framed their comments against a backdrop of increased focus on Arctic and North Atlantic security, with the region now seen as central to NATO deterrence and the protection of undersea infrastructure linking Europe and North America.
Wow, who knew breaking up NATO’s second biggest power and stripping NATO and the rUK of its most important naval and air bases in the North Atlantic would weaken the alliance 🤔
I’m guessing Russia and China figured this out a while back which is why Russia paid Alex Salmond and Nigel Farage bribes and set up Radio Sputnik in Edinburgh and China built a massive consulate covered in satellite dishes in Edinburgh.
I think the Plantaginates and Tudors had a bit of an idea how important Scotland was as well.
Jackie Fischer also had some what of an idea when he moved most of the Royal Navy to Scotland too.
Is this another Trump move then ?
Well he does have a soft spot for Scotland and if it should become ‘available’ I doubt even an offer of the Crown Jewels would stop him on the basis his golf courses are in immediate danger.
Donald Trump is currently killing the SNP in Scotland and making the case for better together, however if you boys f**k it up down south and elect mini Trump then all bets are off.
Very true though Starmer’s silence on the far more immediate dangers of Trump invading Greenland and completely upsetting the balance in the high north rather says everything we need to know about his abject cowardice and attraction to easy targets. Fact is nearly all NATO arctic capabilities lie in Canada and Europe. US military are woefully ill equipped or trained or have the moral for such a job. But then that’s not the point of his threats is it. Like Hitler this will not be his last demand so we better grow a pair while we still can.
Well the new US ambassador to Iceland apparently just told everyone it would not be long before he was the governor of Iceland.. Iceland did not take it well.
Please tell me youre joking
No he is not joking 🤦♂️