In reply to Erik B:
> the plan is to make faslane a naval base, for a Scottish navy, with even more jobs. As an aside, It's a pretty moronic argument that a few hundred jobs is a compelling reason to keep nuclear subs and a nuclear weapons storage facility 30 miles from Scotland biggest city/conurbation
few hundred? thousands more like - it's not just the naval staff... it's all the specialist support and usual comunity based services that depend on the demand that goes with them
If Scotland builds a navy then great it can negate these losses, but it seems its unlikely to be nuclear given Scottish sentiment so at least some of the specialist roles and support will go elsewhere.
I'm not that sure what an independent Scottish nation's armed forces would look like as in many ways I can't see how they're really required other than in a coastal defence, anti smuggling & search and rescue capacity - therefore I'm not sure it would be top of the shopping list
Not saying it can't work but it requires a lot of talking and money first.
I guess it's the same choice as Brexit (although with a bit more uncertainty on both sides.)
On one hand we have for an independent scotland:
More Direct democracy/ability to set laws/set immigration policy (for open this time)
Firmly held belief that as an independent country all will be good with the economy, except perhaps for a minor bump after the immediate split. (this is purely belief...there is no way to know what will happen in the future for good or bad, and additionally there is no history of this state to look at to compare)
Oil
A reasonably held belief that Scotland can join the EU as a independent country and benefit from and suffer from every thing that goes with it (and follow the yes EU vote in Scotland)
Finally breaking away from English oppression
For the Union:
Common Strength (Military and economic) with a proven track history (If not ideal - but a very uncertain/risky future)
Follow the UK and bring power back from Brussels (just not to Scotland) and benefit from everything that Brexit brings (for good or bad)
Standing side by side with our Beloved English Allies
Who knows what''s going to happen. We have an Orangutan in the Whitehouse, a NF favourite for the first round in France, Some bonkers bloke in the Netherlands, Turkey Calling Netherlands Nazis, Diplomatic spat between N. Korea and Malaysia, S.Korea ejecting their leader. I'm currently expecting a vote of "sod this we're joining a (sort-of)unified Ireland"