September 15, 2014
independence: bad idea? economy & nuclear weapons

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/08/opinion/paul-krugman-scots-what-the-heck.html

scotland could end up like spain (buggered) if it shares a currency but not a government

america’s nuclear policy and how it’s affected by independence:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/09/scotland-independence-vote-us-headache?CMP=fb_gu

basically the ‘special relationship’ is based on the US and UK having nuclear deterrents. if Trident is kicked out of Faslane, it will probably go to Georgia, perhaps permanently. leaving US as Nato’s sole nuclear provider

also a great quote: 'The US is frustrated enough already at the number of bonsai armies in Europe.’

and:

The US fought one of the bloodiest wars in their history to hold its union together. They can’t take the UK seriously if they just let their union fade.’

Dr Tim Oliver, of the Center for Transatlantic Relations

some people think this may make the rUK abandon nuclear weapons altogether. I think unlikely, and with Cameron in power, unthinkable

Faslane:

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/04/scottish-voters-contemplate-nuclear-option-faslane-trident-fleet

SNP want it out by 2020 … but could take longer

£3-4bn to build a new English base. could take until 2028 (when Trident submarines will be replaced

keeping subs there for a few years could be part of a deal with the rUK - in exchange for using the pound, or help w/ EU membership for example

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/04/british-military-mulls-implications-vote-scottish-independence

UK government will make a decision on renewing Trident in 2016:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/01/trident-nuclear-missile-renewal-study

anyway:

14,510 MoD jobs in Scotland (military & civilian)

and independent Scotland would:

'Work towards a total of 15,000 regular and 5,000 reserve personnel in the decade following independence (from 7,500 regular and 2,000 reserve personnel at the point of independence).’

less illegal wars, less nukes. more maritime patrol aircraft/vessels