Defence and Security

An independent Scotland is the key to a nuclear weapon free world

Stephen Richard — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:33:30 +0000

An independent Scotland is the key to a nuclear weapon free world

Primary Author or Creator

Catherine Robertson

Stephen Richard Mon, 11/01/2021 - 14:33

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Bella Caledonia

Date Published

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 12:00

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Article

Fast Facts

Scotland can be on the right side of history. We can ensure that these morally bankrupt weapons owned by the UK government are removed and destroyed once and for all.

More details

For decades, the UK government has argued that their possession of nuclear weapons is the norm on the world stage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Since the adoption of the TPNW in 2017, 86 countries have signed it, with most planning to meet in Vienna, Austria in March 2022 for the first Meeting of the States Parties (1MSP). Here, leaders will commit to concrete actions to implement obligations under the Treaty. Scottish representation in Vienna is an irreplaceable opportunity for global disarmament efforts.

The UK is not a signatory to the TPNW. Along with all the other nuclear-armed states, the UK Government has made no agreements to destroy its weapons and shows no intention to do so anytime soon. But Scotland has a significant part to play. The Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens have both pledged their opposition to nuclear weapons. Parliamentarians’ support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Scotland extends beyond membership of these parties. With a new independence referendum on the agenda in Scotland, they have the power to disrupt the UK’s nuclear weapons policies. If Scots vote ‘YES ’to becoming an independent country, Scotland can sign the TPNW. And here’s the kicker: as Article 4.4 of the TPNW states,

“A State Party that has the nuclear weapons of another State on its territory (via stationing, installation or deployment) must ensure that such weapons are removed as soon as possible but not later than a deadline to be determined by the first meeting of States Parties” (Art. 4.4).

When Scotland signs or accedes to the TPNW, all nuclear weapons must be removed from Scotland. The SNP and Greens are committed to this. However, this means far more than shifting nuclear weapons from one place to another. The UK government has nowhere else to store their nuclear arsenal. English and Welsh sites have been deemed inadequate as they do not meet the necessary accessibility and storage criteria. Housing the UK’s nuclear weapons in other armed nations, like the US or France, are financially and politically unacceptable options

Resource Address (URL)

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2021/10/29/an-independent-scotland-is-the-key-to-…

Keywords

Nuclear weapons

Trident

After independence

Language English

Scotland’s borders and independence

Stephen Richard — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 12:49:35 +0000

Scotland’s borders and independence

Primary Author or Creator

Kirsty Hughes

Stephen Richard Sun, 10/03/2021 - 13:49

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Sceptical Scot

Date Published

Sat, 08/15/2020 - 12:00

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Assessment report

Fast Facts

How a border will be handled and its potential economic impacts need some serious analysis from the Scottish Government. The fact that Scotland’s trade with rUK is three times that with the EU means it looks like the short- term economic impact of a harder border would be negative.

But some of those negative impacts might be at least partially offset by benefits from migration and free movement of people, and by foreign investment.

The potential shorter and longer-term economic transition and structural change Scotland faces as an independent state within the EU, while rUK is outside, needs careful economic analysis and an understanding of likely costs and benefits.

Resource Address (URL)

https://sceptical.scot/2020/08/scotlands-borders-and-independence/

Keywords

Borders

European Union

International trade

Language English

SCOTLAND'S SECURITY

Stephen Richard — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 11:27:02 +0000

SCOTLAND'S SECURITY

Primary Author or Creator

Isobel Lindsay

Stephen Richard Fri, 10/01/2021 - 12:27

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Scottish Independence Convention

Alternative Published Date

2020

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

8pp

Fast Facts

Cyber security issues are clearly emerging as a priority.

Coastal protection is a high priority for Scotland It has been neglected and requires an increase in off-shore patrol vessels and personnel.

The proposed SDF should be designed for flexibility with a modest core capability that can be adapted to changed circumstances. The SDF's cost will be substantially less than that assigned to Scotland currently by the UK Government.

Nuclear weapons will be a major challenge in transition negotiations.

More details

Scottish Independence Convention Transition Paper No. 2

Resource Address (URL)

https://independenceconvention.scot/transitions

Keywords

cyber securtity

Scottish Defence Force

Nuclear weapons

Language English

What would an independent Scotland’s defence and security priorities be?

Stephen Richard — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:24:09 +0000

What would an independent Scotland’s defence and security priorities be?

Primary Author or Creator

Colin Fleming

Stephen Richard Mon, 09/27/2021 - 11:24

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Add additional Authors and/or Publisher

Alternative Published Date

2020

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

book

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

9pp

Fast Facts

The questions that would face an independent Scotland in the area of defence and security are political ones, rather than whether Scotland has the long-term capacity to defend its citizens or its immediate strategic neighbourhood. Of course, further analysis of defence capabilities is necessary, such as the need to explore the repositioning of NATO and Scotland’s role outwith its immediate strategic ambit, the impact of removing Trident on the SDF’s transition, and the impact of Brexit on an independent Scotland’s defence alliances and rUK relations.

More details

pp 189-197 in Scotland's New Choice; Independence after Brexit

Resource Address (URL)

https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2021-03/Scot…

Keywords

Scottish Defence Force

security

Brexit

Language English

Towards a Defence & Security strategy for an independent Scotland

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:17:06 +0000

Towards a Defence & Security strategy for an independent Scotland

Primary Author or Creator

Garry Macdonald

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 09:17

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Common Weal

Alternative Published Date

December 2017

Category

Scottish government

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

This paper is intended to provide an overview of the following aspects of a Scottish Defence & Security Strategy:

• What is meant by ‘Scottish national security’
• What threats it would be required to address
• What framework it would operate under
• How Scottish foreign policy would impact it
• What institutions would implement it

The intent of this paper is not to serve as a finalised strategy but instead to provide a basis for further discussion and development.

More details

― An independent Scotland’s present and future threat environment includes serious organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, social unrest, coercion by state and non-state actors, military threat from a foreign state and natural or man-made disaster. The current threat is predominantly occupied by non-state actors as opposed to any existential or territorial threat. However a defence & security strategy should account for future risk assessment, without indulging a ‘climate of fear’.

― In the interim period following independence, Scotland should pursue ‘associate membership’ in NATO and the EU, allowing for a more flexible foreign policy while allowing integration in specific areas of mutual interest. This would take the form of joining the ‘partnership for peace’ programme in respect to NATO and the European Free Trade Association in respect to the EU, before considering full membership in the future.

― A framework for an independent Scotland’s Defence & Security Strategy should rest on five pillars: policy coherence (strategic integration across the various policy areas which affect defence and security); regional partnerships (forming strong relationships with like-minded countries, taking account of Scotland’s geopolitical position); a resilience model (ensuring Scottish society as a whole is resilient to shocks); a law enforcement focus (a presumption that law enforcement takes priority over military); and readiness and regeneration (an ability to respond quickly if the military threat landscape changes suddenly).

― A single, integrated Scottish Security & Intelligence Agency should be established, responsible for collecting, analysing and utilising information in support of law enforcement, national security and foreign policy objectives.

― Police Scotland will have to significantly enhance its Organised Crime & Terrorism Unit while its International Assistance Unit would take on increased significance in the context of independence.

― A Scottish Customs Agency would be required to tackle the economic and social impact of illegal trafficking on Scotland, working closely with law enforcement, intelligence and military forces.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Towards-a-Defence-Security-s…

Keywords

Defence

security

Foreign affairs

Scottish Customs Agency

Police

Language English

In Defence of Scotland

Bill — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000

In Defence of Scotland

Primary Author or Creator

Independence Live

Bill Thu, 07/01/2021 - 13:00

Date Published

Sat, 06/19/2021 - 12:00

Category

Constitution

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

YouTube recording of the virtual conference

Fast Facts

Joint production by Gallus Events and Independence Live. A video conference discussing the defence of Scotland.

Contributions from Scottish military veterans. Discussion on what a Scottish defence force would look like, NATO membership, and the Trident missles based on the clyde

More details

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Resource Address (URL)

https://youtu.be/XVhc3I0BPNs

Keywords

Language English