Uk Establishments Scotland Rip ?

[modeller]

If Scotland became independent what would happen to the dozens of current UK Establishments and Departments based in Scotland ? I can't see the rest of the UK paying for all those civil and military establishments , many of which were only sent to Scotland to share the wealth and employment of the UK as a whole, in the first place. If they were removed or reduced hundreds of Scottish companies and employes would be affected.

[emmie]

what about all the Scottish soldiers, do they only serve in a Scottish regiment, what about all the Welsh, Irish, English soldiers who serve in Scottish regiments, does Alex Salmond plan on having his own armed services, and would they fight for the other nations.

[Baldric]

///It is common practice to offer a link to the news article you would like to discuss///

"Uk" Establishments . . . . Surely that includes Scotland?

[Gromit]

Again, it would be more costly to reloacate these establishment to England, so some kind of lease agreements would make more sense. It would be in both countries interest to have a military pact and cooperate with each other and have one army not two.

The UK and Ireland have many bilateral agreements on all kinds of things from policing to trade. The same would happen with Scotland.

[LazyGun]

Certainly the SNP are proposing a Scottish armed forces, distinct from the UK armed forces, in the event Scotland gains Independence.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-army-make-up-revealed-1-3209070

[emmie]

how are they going to afford it, 2.5 billion, not to mention the 20,000 servicemen and women.

[woofgang]

There's no reason why individuals should not go and be employed in the armies of their choice, as now. I could see Scottish regiments in the English army losing their Scottish titles though.

[emmie]

perhaps, but if that means moving to Scotland, if you are English based down here, with family, would you want to move.

[emmie]

from your link

While Scottish troops would be involved in peacekeeping, they would largely be focused on domestic duties and defending the “high north”.

[jeffa]

The SNP are on record as being admirers of the Norwegian military structure. Who's to say they won't introduce some sort of military service?

[LazyGun]

I think the 2.5 billion price tag would include salaries/pensions of the staff of the proposed armed forces.

People are already contesting SNPs figures, saying they are much too optimistic and in reality would cost a lot more.

As to how they can afford it- were they an independent country, they would have their own income stream, being able to raise taxes via individuals and corporations, they would have a share of the oil/gas revenue, all that kind of thing. The question Scots should be asking would be; is that going to be enough to support their current and future infrastructure requirements, especially since revenue from oil and gas reserves are going to dwindle over time.

And at least part of SNPs calculations regarding Independence will have rested upon becoming part of a Sterling zone and becoming an independent member state of the EU - but both of these presumptions have been challenged in recent debates.

[jno]

the UK military owns a vast chunk of Cyprus; so I don't see why they shouldn't be able to lease land as needed in Scotland.

[emmie]

jeffa, so what happens to all the Scots who live down south, are they to be conscripted.

[youngmafbog]

The problem with leasing land abroad is that it needs to be secure. We could no longer have Sweaties walking in and out at will as they would be foreigners and certainly could not work in there. And if not in the EU foreigners that need visa's.

Seems to me this independence is not well thought out and if it occurs will be little more than the current devolution.

Still, I hope Salmond does get a yes. I volunteer for the first shift of building up Hadrians wall.

[jeffa]

I have no idea, emmie. How could I...?

[emmie]

i thought you were saying or suggesting that they need more military, and the only way to do that is to recruit locally, or in time of war, conscript.

[emmie]

no matter which article you read, or watch the news on tv, the figures for all of the changes Alex Salmond wants to implement don't add up. and that many of the Scots down here won't get a voice on the matter, yet other nationalities residing in Scotland will, including English people.

[LazyGun]

I am no forensic accountant, nor have I looked in detail at the breakdown of costs. But the cost of independence will no doubt be vigorously debated in the months leading up to the referendum.

And as far as the referendum goes, it is entirely right and appropriate that those people who have residency in Scotland get to vote on the issue, rather than those with a link by heredity but living elsewhere.

[emmie]

its in September isn't it? so they better get a move on.

[modeller]

//the UK military owns a vast chunk of Cyprus; so I don't see why they shouldn't be able to lease land as needed in Scotland. //

But would they even want/need to ? W

[emmie]

sure the Cypriots will be delighted to know this.