SNP conference: Independent Scotland ‘could force UK to abandon nuclear programme’

AN SNP MSP has claimed that an independent Scotland could force the UK to abandon its nuclear weapons.

Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said relocating Trident bases at Faslane and Coulport was “not a serious option”.

Under those circumstances, he argued that if an independent Scotland “remained firm” to the SNP policy of not having nuclear weapons, it could force the abandonment of the Trident programme.

Mr Finnie spoke out on the issue at the SNP spring conference in Glasgow, where he told party activists: “Relocation is not a serious option.”

And while he said that “London would pay any price to keep Trident at Faslane and Coulport” he also stressed that “there is nowhere for Trident to go” if Scotland was no longer part of the UK.

He stated: “If Scotland remained firm on this issue, and I am certain that we will, the UK will have to abandon its nuclear programme.”

SNP members at the conference unanimously backed a motion for Trident missiles, submarines and warheads to be removed from an independent Scotland within the “soonest possible timescale”.

Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd said that a “key advantage” of leaving the UK would be it would give “Scotland the powers to have Trident removed from Scottish waters”.

In those circumstances, he said he believed Westminster would “act on this and withdraw Trident as quickly as possible”.