- Scotland achieves more independence, but not as an independent nation —
- HM Naval Base in Scotland, the only base for the UK nuclear fleet, can stay for now —
- Vote moves UK to ‘devolution’, increased powers for Scotland, agenda to revisit independence.
Update:
July 19, 2016
Divisions within the United Kingdom widened this week after the British parliament overruled Scottish objections to replace Britain’s fleet of Trident submarines to upgrade the country’s nuclear arsenal.
Scotland’s pro-independence Scottish National Party runs on a platform of nuclear disarmament. So when it came to a vote, 58 of 59 MPs from Scotland voted against replacing the Trident fleet.
MP Mhairi Black of the SNP argued against the logic of spending billions on new subs and warheads, even after the UK pledged to reduce its nuclear stockpile in the next decade.
“These weapons serve no other purpose than to satisfy the ego of the British establishment,” Black said. “This is about us putting our stamp on a world that we are isolating ourselves from more and more.”
Scotland is still reeling from the results of the Brexit referendum. The majority voted to stay inside the European Union and there is a clamoring for a second independence vote to keep Scotland in the EU.
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Brexit: Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish independence vote ‘highly likely’
Scotland’s first minister says a second independence referendum is “highly likely” after the UK voted to leave the EU.
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September 19, 2014
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In longer term, the vote portends waves of change…
If proposed devolution changes don’t go far enough, it may lead to increased support for populist parties, such as the eurosceptic UK Independence Party, in the UK’s 2015 general election. That, in turn, would increase the chances of Britain pulling out of the European Union at some point in the future if eurosceptics or other popular minor parties grow amid the changing currents.
The strong showing for a possible “yes” vote took hold in the two weeks before the vote. As a result, the leaders of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats – who form the current national government in the UK – and the opposition Labour Party – promised Scots a fast-track timetable for further devolution, with many particulars put on the table as loudly professed incentives to stay in the UK, to vote “no” to an independent nation.
“The genie is out of the bottle,” on the need for change, said Labour lawmaker Peter Hain, who has served as both Secretary of State for Wales and also Northern Ireland. “We need to recognize the reality that the United Kingdom should have a federal political structure with a constitutional arrangement which defines the demarcation of powers between Westminster and the rest of the United Kingdom.”
September 7, 2014
UK Government Scrambles as Scottish Independence Campaign Makes Gains
Wall Street Journal
A new poll released Saturday showed supporters of Scottish independence are in the lead for the first time since the referendum campaign …
Scottish independence: Yes campaign ahead
International-Telegraph.co.uk
British government promises Scots more powers if they reject ...
Opinion-The Globe and Mail
Scots Independence Poll Puts ‘Yes’ Campaign Ahead at 51%
In-Depth-Bloomberg
Scottish independence: a guide to the big decision
International-The Guardian
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UK will be told to remove all submarines from an independent Scotland
The UK’s entire nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be told to leave…
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HM Naval Base Clyde – commonly known throughout the Navy as Faslane – is the Royal Navy’s main presence in Scotland. It is home to the core of the Submarine Service, including the nation’s nuclear deterrent, and the new generation of hunter-killer submarines. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/naval-base/clyde
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Sept 4
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/04/scottish-voters-contemplate-nuclear-option-faslane-trident-fleet / Guardian
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Sept 3
British military mulls — much negotiation lies ahead / Guardian
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August 24
If Scotland votes “yes” in an independence referendum next month, the submarines could become nuclear-armed nomads, without a port to call home. Washington’s closest and most important ally could, in turn, be left without the ultimate deterrent, even as Europe’s borders are being rattled anew by a resurgent Russia. / Washington Post
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March 2014
Results of the vote loom large …
The chance to rid these islands of nuclear weapons is one of the most exciting opportunities
by Patrick Harvie
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. She was visiting Edinburgh to talk about why so many Greens south of the border support Scottish independence. While it might seem strange to some, our colleagues are excited at the prospect of independence shaking up UK politics and the chance to encourage progressive forces across the British Isles.
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