In Scotland's Defence
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In Scotland's Defence
George Grant has presented his report on the future defence of an independent Scotland to the Scottish Parliament and In London. It has angered the SNP, largely because it exposes the massive holes in their defence policy.
The full report is available on the Henry Jackson Society website at http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-co...rt-LOW-RES.pdf
He has been appearing before the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee giving evidence about his report and the SNP reaction to it. You can watch the video of the session at Player
The full report is available on the Henry Jackson Society website at http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-co...rt-LOW-RES.pdf
He has been appearing before the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee giving evidence about his report and the SNP reaction to it. You can watch the video of the session at Player
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It wouldn't suprise me after seeing the Panorama last night involving Salmond and Trump..
Basically Trump promised 650 jobs or there about and 1 billion investment, they sold him the land for £7.000,000, over rode the local planners objections resulting in 1 course being built, a temporary club house built and Trump with the unused land with planning permission worth £100,000,000 and very few jobs created.
Basically Trump promised 650 jobs or there about and 1 billion investment, they sold him the land for £7.000,000, over rode the local planners objections resulting in 1 course being built, a temporary club house built and Trump with the unused land with planning permission worth £100,000,000 and very few jobs created.
Last edited by NutLoose; 9th Jul 2013 at 17:48.
Got exactly zero air time on Reporting Scotland tonight. The sun shining, future investment in tennis and the transmission of a murder trial by another broadcaster apparently warranted more newsworthy material for BBC Scotland.
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Cue has an issue. Never known what it is, but then, perhaps I haven't given it enough thought.
I do enjoy this debate, though, and I think George raises some very interesting issues. I have to add that my part in it is very small; this research took him months of solid work. Certainly a new starting place for thought and debate about potential independence.
I do enjoy this debate, though, and I think George raises some very interesting issues. I have to add that my part in it is very small; this research took him months of solid work. Certainly a new starting place for thought and debate about potential independence.
I've never defended Donald Trump before, and I won't start now. However, given he wanted to build a resort for rich gits, the scrubbing of the project when approval is given for a host of wind turbines cluttering up the view should come as no surprise.
As with the defence policy, there's no joined up thinking through of events. Either Salmond is stupid or "disingenuous". Choose.
As with the defence policy, there's no joined up thinking through of events. Either Salmond is stupid or "disingenuous". Choose.
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I'll admit it: my first response on seeing this thread was "oh no, not again..."
But, despite a profound distrust of policy wonks built up over decades of interacting with too many of them, it has to be acknowledged that this is actually a very good document. It asks all the right questions, and is obviously extremely well researched.
And while it overtly seeks to pick holes in the SNP's stance on defence, with a considerable measure of success, the result is an oddly balanced document. If the SNP have any sense they will read it carefully, and seek to learn leassons from it as things move towards the vote. And the thing about the SNP is that they do seem to have a fair measure of common sense, an especially uncommon commodity among politicians. I expect to hear echoes of this document from odd places before the referendum campaign goes much further.
At the end of the day, however, it seems fair to ask whether this document, however good it is, is going to make any difference one way or the other in September 2014. I doubt it. The author says in his conclusion: "voters need to be presented with the clearest possible picture of what they are voting for." Voters will vote, one way or the other, for something much more fundamental than one side's policy on this, or another's policy on that.
And for any Scot that does care deeply about defence, while, as this document ably points out, the SNP policy is paper thin, it's not as if the UK Government is doing much better, is it?
At the end of the day, as I suspect I've said before in another similar thread, the outcome of the referendum will have far more to do with the quantum of dislike for Cameron and his UK government than the quantum of support for the SNP.
But, despite a profound distrust of policy wonks built up over decades of interacting with too many of them, it has to be acknowledged that this is actually a very good document. It asks all the right questions, and is obviously extremely well researched.
And while it overtly seeks to pick holes in the SNP's stance on defence, with a considerable measure of success, the result is an oddly balanced document. If the SNP have any sense they will read it carefully, and seek to learn leassons from it as things move towards the vote. And the thing about the SNP is that they do seem to have a fair measure of common sense, an especially uncommon commodity among politicians. I expect to hear echoes of this document from odd places before the referendum campaign goes much further.
At the end of the day, however, it seems fair to ask whether this document, however good it is, is going to make any difference one way or the other in September 2014. I doubt it. The author says in his conclusion: "voters need to be presented with the clearest possible picture of what they are voting for." Voters will vote, one way or the other, for something much more fundamental than one side's policy on this, or another's policy on that.
And for any Scot that does care deeply about defence, while, as this document ably points out, the SNP policy is paper thin, it's not as if the UK Government is doing much better, is it?
At the end of the day, as I suspect I've said before in another similar thread, the outcome of the referendum will have far more to do with the quantum of dislike for Cameron and his UK government than the quantum of support for the SNP.
Last edited by Kluseau; 9th Jul 2013 at 21:20.
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500N yes vote is becoming preference largely because of the negative comments coming out, the mobile phone cost rise being the latest guff. Does everyone think we Jock's are stupid? Evidently so by the rubbish we keep being fed, lets get back to pre referendum days how many times have we heard that England supports us? If we are such a burdens then why not cast us adrift to fend for ourselves we seem not to be scared but our 'benefactors' in the south seem very much wanting to keep us! I really wonder why, not
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Lately I haven't read or seen that much in the UK media about it
Am 1/4 Scottish and one of my names is Sutherland
so have a bit of interest in it.
Not sure I think it is a good idea but a bit far away to judge.
Bit like Australia becoming a republic, not much would change !
The document is an interesting read, well researched.
Am 1/4 Scottish and one of my names is Sutherland
so have a bit of interest in it.
Not sure I think it is a good idea but a bit far away to judge.
Bit like Australia becoming a republic, not much would change !
The document is an interesting read, well researched.
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Kluseau the first part of your post I totally agree with the second I do not the SNP is a democratically elected government in this country with a mandate to govern it disappoints me when I hear people criticising Salmon for what is perceived as his personal agenda because being democratically elected by the Scottish people then it follows that he has the people support for his policies.
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N500 your comment is understood and respected but it is us that must/shall make that decision here in Scotland 11% of the population are English and this of course shall be very significant in the yes/no answer I certainly think that Scotland can easily make it alone and being a Scot my vote is yes. It surely every nations desire to be self governing we are very proud of who we are and the notion is that we take this chance and be our own governors .
Lady's and Gentlemen who maybe reading this I am in Hannover it is my 55 birthday so pleases forgive any spelling or grammatical error you may see birthday drinks have got in the way of usual communications, hic. Dave
Lady's and Gentlemen who maybe reading this I am in Hannover it is my 55 birthday so pleases forgive any spelling or grammatical error you may see birthday drinks have got in the way of usual communications, hic. Dave
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N500 your comment is understood and respected but it is us that must/shall make that decision here in Scotland 11% of the population are English and this of course shall be very significant in the yes/no answer I certainly think that Scotland can easily make it alone and being a Scot my vote is yes. It surely every nations desire to be self governing we are very proud of who we are and the notion is that we take this chance and be our own governors .
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mat
Agree, it needs to be decided by the Scots but for the right reasons
and half the time I see people asking for this or a republic, half the
reasons are just not worth it.
I have now done a bit more research and don't like the look of
Salmond.
Agree, it needs to be decided by the Scots but for the right reasons
and half the time I see people asking for this or a republic, half the
reasons are just not worth it.
I have now done a bit more research and don't like the look of
Salmond.