SCOTLAND’S  FUTURE  WITHOUT  NUCLEAR  WEAPONS

The Scottish Government’s summit on ‘Scotland’s Future Without Nuclear Weapons’ marks a step change on this issue in comparison to the experience of the past fifty years.  Although there has been considerable local authority support and there is still a Non-Nuclear Local Authorities Association, this is the first time in the UK we have had the support of a legislature for nuclear disarmament.  The summit is bringing together the trade unions, the churches, environmental and peace movement organisations to examine what can be done with the existing Holyrood powers to oppose Trident.  There are powers that it may be possible to use.  Environmental, planning and emergency planning powers may at the least delay Trident renewal.  Our responsibilities in relation to international human rights may also be used and we can certainly plan for alternative employment for those engaged in nuclear-related work.

But what we really need are the powers of an independent Scottish state to make these major decisions on defence and foreign policy and to develop a role internationally in the drive for nuclear non-proliferation and other peace-making initiatives.  For those who say a small country like Scotland would have no role to play, look at the examples we have.  Switzerland, as home to the International Committee of the Red Cross, has made a major contribution to international humanitarian work. The Netherlands is a centre of international justice.  Sweden has the International Peace Research Institute and, along with Norway, a record in mediation work.  Ireland has a strong record of contributions to the United Nations and its agencies.  New Zealand adopted a positive non-nuclear policy and refused to allow weapons carriers to dock there.  The debate we should be having is about what contribution Scotland could make if we had the powers to play a full international role.

Those involved in peace and environmental movements in England are very supportive of what is now happening in Scotland.  They know that banning Trident from Faslane will mean its end in the UK.  The costs and the public opinion response of re-housing it in England would be enormous.  In seeking observer status in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Conference, the Scottish Government with the support of the Green Party is showing an internationalism that, with notable exceptions, is missing among many of the rather parochial MSPs in Holyrood.