An independent Scotland should finance its own defence forces by leasing military bases and charging the rest of the UK for housing nuclear weapons on the Clyde, a new paper has recommended. The document produced by defence analyst Stuart Crawford, who once advised the SNP on military matters, and the economist Richard Marsh suggested Trident should remain at Faslane until an alternative base is built outside Scotland. The independently-produced paper warned the four submarines which carry the missiles would have to stay in Scottish waters for “perhaps up to” 20 years, a prospect that would anger the SNP grassroots, which is passionately opposed to nuclear weapons. Its authors said an independent Scotland could charge £200 million per year to retain Trident. The proposal is at the heart of the document Could an independent Scotland defend itself Scot-free?, which also recommended leasing the Lossiemouth airbase to the RAF and Nato.
Dundee Courier 29th Sept 2020 read more »
Times 30th Sept 2020 read more »