https://blogs.sps.ed.ac.uk/referendum/scotland-wouldnt-be-out-of-security-loop/ Informing the Debate Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:40:58 +0000 hourly 1 https://blogs.sps.ed.ac.uk/referendum/scotland-wouldnt-be-out-of-security-loop/#comment-7569 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:40:58 +0000 http://blogs.sps.ed.ac.uk/referendum/?p=678#comment-7569 @Dr. Richard Murphy. Perhaps some of the above analysis is naive, but you’re comments on Scotland suddenly being transformed into a third world country and your so called “understanding” of what all non-Scottish companies operating in Scotland are planning on doing are just bizarre. If some of the article’s contentions are naive, then you’re comments are plucked out of the air. Have you talked to all these companies? What is the evidence that Scotland would suddenly turn into third world country? These seem to be the wet dreams of English nationalists at the Daily Mail who rather than seeking to develop a civic pride in their own country demand a grievance and seem to take it as a personal offence that Scotland might consider leaving the UK. It’s a fantasy to think that Scotland leaving the Union will automatically lead to unimaginable wealth and prosperity for all left just as it’s fantasy to think that an independent Scotland would automatically lead to great wealth for everyone.

]]> https://blogs.sps.ed.ac.uk/referendum/scotland-wouldnt-be-out-of-security-loop/#comment-6550 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 11:30:37 +0000 http://blogs.sps.ed.ac.uk/referendum/?p=678#comment-6550 An interesting, if somewhat naïve, take on Scotland’s future after Independence. However, I tend toward Roberts’ (Daily Mail Online: 14/01/2012) future legend – the truth is that a third world country right on the UK’s doorstep will save the ESRC [et al] a fortune…
As to your central argument concerning the UK’s security priorities – we can be ‘watched’ without inclusion, left quite alone – with perhaps the odd covert visit from the ‘Gentlemen from Hereford’ or ‘Six’ to ‘solve’ any issues, should the SNP be perceived as being a little lax.
As to your suggestion that we are increasingly watched due to the ‘War on Terror’… In the good old days, pre 9/11, we were consistently in second place, in Amnesty’s list of most watched, after the CCCP. I guess we’re we are number one by now… I haven’t checked. Being domiciled in Scotland for over a decade I’ve lost touch with the world beyond Gretna…
I also admire your belief that large, non-Scottish, companies will continue to trade in Scotland after Independence, my understanding is that many have ‘unofficial’ plans to leave very shortly after Scotland’s accidental slip into the abyss [see again Roberts].

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