Today sees the start of the Scottish National Party’s Annual Conference. Members of the FH Edinburgh Team will be there and contributing to the debate, as the organised sponsors of the Scotland on Sunday Lecture to be held at Saturday lunchtime.
The lecture, entitled, “Scotland’s Defence: Myths and Reality”, will be given by Angus Robertson MP, the SNP’s leader at Westminster and spokesperson on defence.
SNP’s Angus Robertson
Mr. Robertson kicked off the debate earlier this week in the Scotland on Sunday when he stated in an interview that an independent Scotland and the UK would remain “friends and allies”, and that it would be “perfectly possible” to “share basing, procurement and training facilities with the rest of the present UK”. However, it has been made clear that the Trident nuclear missile programme on the Clyde would not be welcome.
The response to this interview has been one of disbelief and derision by the opposition parties and media commentators both North and South of the border with many referring to it as a “fantasy”. This is, however, unsurprising considering the pro-union nature of those parties and the media.
Alan Cochrane of the Daily Telegraph described Angus Robertson as, “clutching desperately — and ludicrously — at straws because he knows full well the effect that losing all UK bases would have on Scotland’s economy, never mind its defence.” Des Browne, the former Labour defence secretary suggested that the plans had been drawn up on the “back of an envelope”. Tory MP and shadow Scottish Secretary, David Mundell said the plan made no sense. “He can’t expect to break up Britain and have the rest of the United Kingdom dance to his tune,” he said. “His defence policy doesn’t stack up and would threaten tens of thousands of jobs in Scotland.”
The question of whether the rank and file of the SNP is happy and willing to support this proposition remains unclear too – maybe those delegates attending the lecture will give an indication of feeling. Interestingly, Nicola Sturgeon the Deputy First Minister gave a cautious approach to the idea in a quote to The Times stating the party was “talking about a principle” rather than a concrete proposal.
One thing for certain is that the lecture is bound to be of great interest to delegates, observers and the media. FH will be there to welcome all and is looking forward to a fascinating debate.
The Scotland on Sunday Lecture will be held at 12.30pm on Saturday 17th October in the One Touch Theatre, Eden Court. Drinks and canapés will be served.
