tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603438996450817644.post8775639057246316702..comments2024-01-12T01:56:21.933-08:00Comments on chokka blog: These IslandsKevin Haguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14587343060415859159noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603438996450817644.post-88468738354977524722017-11-21T08:56:03.328-08:002017-11-21T08:56:03.328-08:00Interesting work Kevin and I'll be following w...Interesting work Kevin and I'll be following with interest.<br /><br />For me, the paradox that lies behind the UK is whether we want to be an ethical and moral force for good in the world committed to peace and protecting the global environment or whether we want to continue to be a highly advanced, leading economic and military power in the world, enjoying the same production and consumption of depleting natural resources.<br /><br />It is very difficult to achieve both at the same time.<br /><br />For Scotland, our part of the bargain is we enjoy higher spending for public services and a better standard of living than if we were independent, as part of the UK. <br /><br />In return the UK gets from Scotland full military and strategic control of the whole of the landmass of the main islands of Britain, which gives the UK reach into the North Atlantic and makes up the GI-UK Gap region, vital to NATO protecting the region from Russian naval and air interests.<br /><br />As a result we allow the MOD to use large parts of our countryside and marine environment for basing not just the nuclear weapons but also testing and practising conventional weapons with live ammunition, both below and above the surface and into the wider atmosphere.<br /><br />The Holy Loch clean up operation and impact on the environment when the Americans left was significant and our own armed forces have a much bigger footprint in Scotland, with the MOD as one of the biggest landowners here.<br /><br />Drewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603438996450817644.post-74016933507884468142017-11-12T01:21:42.577-08:002017-11-12T01:21:42.577-08:00You cannot make the case for Scottish Independence...You cannot make the case for Scottish Independence, because the numbers don't add up. The SNP couldn't be honest as to the cost of setting up an independent Scotland. <br /><br />Who is really willing to pay the billions to set up an independent Scotland?<br /><br />Scotland like the rest of the UK, has to wake up to a problem, the loss of jobs to automation,by 2030 it is estimated nearly 1.2 million jobs could disappear, if that is the case, any independent Scotland would be doomed to fail<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39830113Glenn Middletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14650280913311894166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603438996450817644.post-35607959648640649042017-11-11T20:17:42.151-08:002017-11-11T20:17:42.151-08:00I really hope you will explore all the organisatio...I really hope you will explore all the organisations that Britain is part of around the world which might be termed as our "soft power". And certainly we need to look at the Commonwealth as part of a future Britain.<br /><br />Hope this works out for you.<br /><br />AlastairAlastair McIntyrehttp://www.electricscotland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603438996450817644.post-84622992559074459102017-11-11T05:46:17.845-08:002017-11-11T05:46:17.845-08:00Well done Kevin. Penicillin for the virus unscrupu...Well done Kevin. Penicillin for the virus unscrupulous separatism that has infected our politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com