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The British army is full of people from outside the UK, lots of Fijians, Gurkhas etc. Can't see the UK not taking on people from Scotland, if we need more soldiers. However with all the cutbacks in service personal in may not be a problem.
All true. And I can't think of a single Scottish soldier I've known who would want to join an army that doesnt go anywhere or do anything.
mcboo- un peacekeeping not good enough? the Scottish regiment under and independent Scotland would be used for un peacekeeping and not illegal wars.
I suspect this might be attractive to some
Of course there would be another large cash saving. No need to spend billions bombing the middle east back to the stone age
No need to spend billions bombing the middle east back to the stone age
True - the Scottish way would be to discretely encourage Israel and Iran to do it for us; it's cheaper, less work and once they've irradiated the Iranian oilfields for several generations, the value of North Sea oil is going to rocket. Then, we'll subtly pin the blame on the English and let everyone love us for our boozy charm, kilts and the mystery of "what lies beneath".
Let's face facts here; if you have a look at the history of the Empire, it's been Scots who have built most of it, we've run the UK for large chunks of our combined history and, as the Sassenachs are only now just cottoning on, we've been syphoning the profits north of the border for years. Yet despite having robbed and pillaged our way round the globe for several centuries, everyone loves us!
You can be damn sure that we're still one step ahead of you, so you might as well just pipe down and accept what's coming - we promise to phone once in a while 😆
D-J [b]TESTIFY BROTHER![/b]
We did come in handy at fighting Englands wars, pushing back native tribes with the promise of a wee bit of land for ourselves it must be said. I love the ironing of Mcpoo threatening the closure of Lossie...Because THAT will never happen,close down highland RAF bases? Nah,no precident for that,is there?
Well this mornings papers are full of the 1000 day headlines. Now it will start to get dirty. Expect pictures of Alex Salmond wearing nothing but a tutu,a hamster, and a winning smile in the Sun anyday now 😯
BTW the word Sassenach is from the Gaelic "Saxon"
Milliband has joined with Cameron in telling us that we should remain in the Union... ...well that should sway the Scottish Electorate!
Elf, will you be more likely to visit Scotland once its properly foreign?
Has any pro independence scot actually answered if they would be happy for Shetland and Orkney to gain their own independence? (perhaps supportedby UK PLC) What if these places wanted to remain in the UK? Should they be given their own referendum?
On the military installations, there is no way MOD would allow all of their nuclear subs to be based abroad; so that would definitely go to englandshire, closely followed by the air bases.
I don't know if I necessarily qualify, as I am not necessarily "pro" however I don't think many "pro Independence Scots" would have a fundamental objection to self determination by Shetland or Orkney if they chose to do so. Outside this forum I don't think I've ever heard such a suggestion made which probably implies its not a sentiment that is popular on those Islands. They are reasonably safe "Lib Dem" constituencies, but SNP have done not too badly in them for the last few years, and the Tories have not fared well which suggests to me, that views are more aligned with Holyrood than Westminster. However if your question is really if we didn't have the ecconomic value of those islands would the people of Scotland still be interested in discussing independence I think the answer is yes.Has any pro independence scot actually answered if they would be happy for Shetland and Orkney to gain their own independence? (perhaps supportedby UK PLC) What if these places wanted to remain in the UK? Should they be given their own referendum?
You do raise an interesting question though. If any single constituency voted NO but the nation voted YES would that locality be compelled to fall in line with the Scottish decision? Some of the borders constituencies are much more Unionist/Tory in their voting habits - could the border be redrawn? Could Glentress become English?
I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise - indeed the strong antinuclear lobby in Scotland would argue that is a bonus. FYI there is only one air base left; presumably Scotland would have some sort of military airbase of its own and so actually it would not need to close - eitherway the closure (or not). I'd certainly say that closing of military bases is something that actually worries ordinary people in Scotland outside the immediate confines of the facilities. There is no long term certainty of any of the facilities under the status quo anyway.On the military installations, there is no way MOD would allow all of their nuclear subs to be based abroad; so that would definitely go to englandshire, closely followed by the air bases.
They are reasonably safe "Lib Dem" constituencies, but SNP have done not too badly in them for the last few years, and the Tories have not fared well which suggests to me, that views are more aligned with Holyrood than Westminster.
You raise some very good points poly, but I'm not sure how the Lib dems are closer to holyrood than westminster.
Scotland would have some sort of military airbase of its own and so actually it would not need to close
I would love to see Mr Salmonds plans for the scottish military. It don't come cheap!