A MARCH was held yesterday at Faslane naval base to highlight the call for “immediate removal” of nuclear weapons from Scotland after independence.
Speakers at the event, organised by All Under One Banner, included veteran campaigner Isobel Lindsay from Scottish CND, who told the crowd she had first demonstrated on the issue around 1963.
“This is not about security for ordinary people, this is about the status of the British state,” she said.
“It lost an empire, it had to parade as a big power, and it believes its status as a big power depends on having 250 nuclear bombs in this area.
“The irony and the truth which isn’t really presented – even to the people of England, never mind Scotland – is that the UK is not really a nuclear power.
“There are eight independent
nuclear systems in the world – it is eight too many. This one is totally dependent on the United States.”
Earlier this year, SNP MP Stewart McDonald came under fire after saying an independent Scotland would not “permanently” host nuclear weapons from other states but failing to not rule out short-term arrangements.
Bill Ramsay, convener of SNP CND, told the rally that SNP policy – which had been decided in 2019 – was a commitment to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
“That is the policy of the Scottish National Party put to the membership, and there are no motions on this going forward to the conference in October – so that remains the policy of the SNP,” he added.
A statement tweeted by AUOB said: “We are delighted to announce that c. 200 independence supporters participated in the march to Faslane Naval Base today, for a Nuclear Free Scotland, for Bairns Not Bombs. A fantastic turnout considering the number of factors working against us.”
