UNLESS the SNP manifesto guarantees removal of Trident and its weapons from Scotland within the first year of an independent Scotland, why should we vote for them?
There’s no independence if we’re at the mercy of Westminster and the USA, who between them control Trident. No independent government could hold its head high as long as other nations hold its people under threat of annihilation whether by intention or accident.
The Scottish Government’s own paper “Scotland referendum 2014: the impact of independence on Trident” shows they understand well the position we are in. The four Trident subs are simply the launch platforms. The delivery system, the ballistic missiles, are maintained and stored in Kings Bay, Georgia, USA (as of 2014). The warheads are designed, built and manufactured at Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire.
So, the UK Government simply needs an alternative base for the subs. Aldermaston could be used to store the weapons they build. This is their problem, not ours.
We need to include the costs of the clean-up operation in our negotiations. Since the Scottish Government has covered so much in its publication, I’m convinced they’ll already have an estimate for the clean-up cost.
Roy Pedersen says (Letters, The National, August 6) the Trident removal is not an immediate vote-winner. Perhaps not, but it has its stance alongside other visions for our new constitution guaranteeing housing, education, health and social care, an income which allows people to do more than simply survive, equality of opportunity and so on.
Looked on as a part of our vision for a fairer, more equitable society, the removal of weapons which could destroy our whole country is surely integral. It’s a bit like salvation.
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. We must act now.
Catriona Grigg
Embo
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel