Own army, but silence on euro in draft plans
CIVIL servants are drafting comprehensive plans on what an independent Scotland would look like, including having its own army, navy and air force.
The draft prospectus for an independent Scotland would see the country drawing from the experiences of Norway and Sweden.
The revelations come as further questions are asked about what currency the country would use, with Labour demanding that the SNP provide some clarity on the issue.
The confidential Scottish Government blueprint for an independent Scotland will reportedly eventually cover every aspect of Scottish life, including how VAT and income tax will be raised and spent.
It will also go into detail on how the country’s energy needs would be met and how business, exports, farming and fishing should be handled.
But the leak of the areas explored so far reveals how the First Minister plans to see off criticism that the SNP has failed to present a coherent defence policy, including retaining jobs that might otherwise be lost through the break-up of the Union.
While Trident would be ditched, Mr Salmond wants a Scottish army, navy and air force. This could provide the basis for shipbuilding contracts in the Clyde. It is also clear that Scotland would leave Nato, but Mr Salmond would like some form of military alliance with Nordic states.
The senior Nationalists involved in drafting the prospectus have been told to make sure it is complete by 2014 – in case the referendum is held then.
“We don’t know when the referendum is going to be held but it might be held in 2014,” the senior source reportedly said.
“That’s the earliest date, so that’s the deadline we’re working to with the prospectus.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government will of course publish a white paper in advance of the referendum, detailing independence – including the new relationship of equality with England, such as the Queen remaining as our head of state – and this will be the positive platform for Scotland’s future that people will be asked to approve.”
Last night Labour focused on the lack of a policy on the currency in a time of economic crisis and questioned whether plans to join the euro were now under threat, given the crisis in the eurozone.
Glasgow East MP Margaret Curran said: “These are very difficult times and many individuals and families throughout Scotland are worried about what the future holds.
“We need urgent clarity from the SNP about their proposals for the economic future of Scotland.
“Now we are seeing disagreements among senior SNP members about what separation really means even over something so fundamental as to which currency Scotland would use.”
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Anagach
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 11:34 PM4 grahamski What has Labour done for Scotland? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And with all that they have still fallen behind the rest of the European and Nordic countries in welfare, education and equality. These are not ideas that the labour party have brought to the world they are ideas and advancements that all the industrial countries are moving with. So apart from managing Scotland a bit worse than most countries in Europe and overseeing its de-industrialisation can you point to anything unique or just better than mediocre compared to our neighbours ?.
ELDee
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 04:23 PMA future Independent military in Scotland should really be part of NATO, for several reasons: firstly NATO has helped maintain peace in Europe for 60 years and Scotland should be part of that, joint military operations in the North Atlantic have spread the responsibility, expertise and costs amongst those 'weaker Scandanavian NATO nations' such as Norway and Denmark. Or is this a ruse by Eck, for some future leverage? For example, Faslane is mentioned and can be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations. E.g. Ok you can keep faslane for a period until post Astute then you have to move, but in the meantime we want all of the current bases free gratis and intact, oh and we will might join NATO to guard the back door and let you use our bases for transit or exercises.
Shenachy
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 03:52 PM#9 – “over 60 years of peace in Europe” .......don’t you read newspapers mate? Last time I checked Bosnia, Croatia etc. etc. etc. had one hell of a war but where was NATO? It was a UN Force as I recall that went in to keep peace (UNPROFOR).
ItsTime
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 02:44 PMYeh leave NATO - over 60 years of peace in Europe. Good thinking. Not,. BTW Norway is in NATO so closer links with Scandanavian coutries is just nonsense. Last time I looked at a map our closet neighbour was England. Shottie - they even speak the same language as us - English. SNP are daft.
samcoldstream
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 02:39 PMAfter watching the gallus First Minister being interviewed on television in China, it would appear that we already have two parallel governments in the UK? Westminster, and a Provisional Government in Scotland led by it's de facto leader who has run up more air miles than Jeremy Clarkson. In contrast, the last leader of the now defunct Scottish Executive managed one trip in his official capacity as First Minister to New York on Tartan Day when he managed a few swaggers in his ridiculous kilt, and was slated at home for making a fool of himself?
A Thouroughly Decent Bloke
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 01:07 PM4 - our NHS started with the Highland Liberals, as it happens. And as for Labour delivering a Scottish Parliament? Get real, it isn't Labours parliament. It's the peoples parliament and was going to be delivered regardless. They did deliver the building - grossly over budget and late - just like Labours trams and anything else Labour touched. Really, Labour have the opposite of the midas touch. It should be called the Labour Merdy Touch since everything they do touch turns to sh*t.
Never A Fake
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 08:32 AM4 - LIARSKI (Falkirk Branch) I see the nonsense spouter an dwell known fiction peddler from Falkirk is making up nonsense again Welfare State was actually started by Lloyd George's Liberals The same guy also enabled equality legislation with votes for women and other disenfranchised folk in 1918 Representation of The people Act What's it like being corrupt grahamski - you better contact London HQ for an answer?
McNasty
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 08:17 AMMargaret Curran's tongue is clacking again, mostly ill informed or made up garbage. Her poisonous rhetoric about disagreements in the SNP about independence is absolute drivel. If there is any internal strife it is inside her own party which in on the verge of collapse.
grahamski
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 07:34 AMD1. What has Labour done for Scotland? Apart from create the NHS, the welfare state, enact every piece of equality legislation, every law that protects folks' safety at work and employment rights. Other than things like the minimum wage and the Open Uni they, in the face of opposition from the SNP, delivered a Parliament for Scotland. Not much compared to the SNP's free bridge tolls....
gus1940
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 07:13 AMCurran's words seem to imply that she considers Independence to be inevitable.
Scotindy
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 01:51 AMLabour party Scottish style. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Scotindy
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 01:38 AMMaybe this Glaswegian labour mp Curran had best ask herself WHAT HAS SCOTTISH LABOUR DONE FOR SCOTLAND IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. Do'nt hold your breath, there will be no answer!!!!!!!!! and also labour DEMANDS what exactly, they cannot demand or COMMAND anything. Labour party in Scotland is dead except the beautiful ones from Glasgow of course, if they fell on a fire, they would have to phone london for permission to get off. PATHETIC.
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