Defending the nation

With the SNP’s plans for defending an independent Scotland in the news recently, we should take a closer look at the consequences of breaking up the UK.

The jobs of thousands of people in Scotland depend on businesses based here winning defence contracts, whether it’s in the shipyards on the Clyde or companies across the country that are part of the huge supply chain.

Alex Salmond might be happy to put these jobs at risk because of his independence obsession, but for families who depend on these jobs it isn’t a price worth paying. 

As part of the UK we get special treatment, which allows the UK government to award big contracts to companies based here.

If we were separated from the UK we would be a foreign country and would lose that huge advantage. Where is the sense in putting what we have at risk?

Defence is yet another area where it makes sense in an uncertain world to operate in the biggest possible national units within international alliances.

Smaller nations lose economies of scale and have little influence. The best way for Scotland to keep its impact and influence strong is to stay in the UK.

Yours sincerely,
Graham Johnston
Maurice Mullay
Theo Nicolson

For Better Together Shetland: Vote NO in the Scottish Referendum