Salmond would delay Trident deal until 2016
SNP Leader Alex Salmond says a final deal on removing Trident nuclear submarines under an independent Scotland would be delayed until 2016 – and be conditional on his party being re-elected.
The Scottish first minister said a future SNP government would oppose demands for Trident to remain in Scotland through a leasing arrangement on the base.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Mr Salmond said the SNP would insist the weapons are removed from Scotland; “A country has the right to say we don’t want to possess nuclear weapons – either our own or anyone else’s.”
“The time period for their removal, once Scotland became independent and after of course, people have elected their first government in an independent Scotland.”
“But if it were to be an SNP government then we would ask the submarines to be removed from Scotland as soon as was safely possible.
“And the emphasis, obviously on safety, because no one would want to compromise that in any way.”
The SNP will set out its vision for an independent Scotland on Sunday at the close of the party’s annual conference in Perth.
A number of groups campaigning for a “Yes” vote in next year’s referendum will have the chance to address activists.
Campaigning app
SNP Campaigns Director Angus Robertson will also update nationalists on the latest technology being used in the battle for Scotland’s future, outlining details of the Yesmo’ smart phone app.
“The referendum rally will be setting out the vision of a better Scotland with the powers of an independent country, embracing the whole of society,” Mr Robertson said.
“Even the most bitter opponents of independence now accept that we could be a successful independent country – the debate now is that we need to be independent because people who live in Scotland will take far better decisions for Scotland on the economy, welfare, pensions and defence than politicians at Westminster ever can.”
On Saturday, Mr Salmond announced the Scottish government would publish a long awaited white paper setting out its case for independence on November 26.