In the week that the SNP holds its first conference since being elected in May, the nuclear submarine HMS Sceptre returns to HMNB Clyde at Faslane in Scotland, after spending almost nine months at sea. During this time there has been a change of Government in Scotland and the crew of the Sceptre will find a much cooler reception in Holyrood than when they left.

In May 2007, the SNP formed a coalition Government with the Scottish Green Party, ousting the previous Labour administration. One of the many changes that the SNP have proposed is to rid the country of the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent.

A petition on the SNP website states:

["The SNP wants a safer, healthier and wealthier Scotland. We believe nuclear weapons are the wrong choice for a successful Scotland. That's why we won't waste £25 billion on new weapons of mass destruction, when it can be better spent in our schools, hospitals and other public services." ( (voir le site)

The SNP are campaigning for a nuclear free Scotland and today, the first day of their Conference at the MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resort, delegates are likely to adopt a resolution reinforcing the SNP's commitment against the storage and transportation of nuclear missiles in Scotland. The draft resolution from the SNP Trade Union Group reads as follows:

"Conference congratulates the Scottish Trade Union Congress and the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament for commissioning and publishing the report "Cancelling Trident; The Economic and Employment Consequences for Scotland". The report refutes the notion that decommissioning Trident would lead to overall job losses to the Scottish Economy.

Conference therefore calls upon the Scottish Government to

• Continue to campaign for the removal of nuclear weapons from Scottish soil.

• Seek observer status at international convocations relating to the renewal of the Non Proliferation Treaty.

• Work with partners within civic Scotland and across the political spectrum in the campaign to remove nuclear weapons from Scottish soil.

• Consider the establishment of a Scottish Peace and Justice Research Centre as part of our higher education institutions."

Two amendments to the motion have been proposed (see below) and if passed would add to the mounting tension that exists between Westminster and Holyrood on the nuclear issue.

A Add new bullet point:

"Urge all Scottish local authorities to use the legal powers at their disposal to prevent the transportation of nuclear weapons through their areas".

Linwood Branch

B Add the following:

"Call on the Westminster government to fully reimburse all Police Authorities for the cost of policing the Faslane Base and the surrounding area".

Paisley North Constituency Association

Indeed, it seems that an all out nuclear conflict is inevitable between Holyrood and Westminster. Already this month SNP Leader, Alex Salmond announced that he has written to all representatives of the 189 countries who have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in an attempt to get them to back Scotland's bid for Observer status in any future talks.

Naturally the Labour Party in Scotland and Westminster, who support the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent and its maintenance in Scotland, has been furious with the Scottish Government's initiatives.

Labour's Eric Joyce, the MP for Falkirk said in response to Salmond's campaign for Scotland to gain observer status at NPT talks:

"He has written to some very despotic and dangerous individuals, which we have very sensitive and complex relationships with, and treated it like a weekly political football. It is potentially very damaging to our national security."

The SNP, like Plaid in Wales, want Scotland to be nuclear free and fought the election this year with its anti nuclear credentials in full view. Their 2007 election manifesto says that the SNP will not agree to new nuclear power stations in Scotland and would rather invest in developing its renewable energy potential.

The nuclear debate in Scotland is an interesting one to follow. Westminster are determined it seems to push ahead with creating a new Trident anti missile programme and new nuclear installations. Holyrood, under the SNP and the Greens, are doing everything in its power to prevent this from happening in Scotland. There may be a show down in the end with Westminster, but the SNP doesn't look ready to compromise on their position in this very important debate. And quite rightly too!

Note:

HMS Sceptre is one of several nuclear submarines based at Faslane, which is home to the Royal Navy's Trident submarine force. Faslane is also the Royal Navy Headquarters in Scotland. There have been numerous anti nuclear protests outside the Faslane base for many years and a permanent peace camp has been continuously occupied there since 1982 ( (voir le site)

At their AGM this year the Celtic League passed a resolution commending the Scottish Government's opposition to new nuclear installations in Scotland and looks forward to the decommissioning of existing nuclear power stations in Wylfa, Wales and Dounreay, Hunterston B Power Station and Torness nuclear power stations.

At the SNP Conference today Plaid Cymru made a fraternal address to the gathered delegates.

(Article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

27/10/07

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