If Skintland

[bazwillrun]

get independence then what happens to the 10% of the UK forces that are Scottish ?

will they want to protect Scotland and leave whats left of the the UK, would they want to remain in the UK military, could they stay in the Uk military, what happens ?

[emmie]

Skintland, would that be Scotland or other?

[2sp_]

I would imagine that Scotland would retain the Royal Regiment of Scotland, regardless of the nationality of those serving within it. Maybe they will get a chance to transfer to UK regiments if they wish?

[emmie]

I honestly don't think this is going to happen, i am convinced there are more against than for Independence.

[jake-the-peg]

There would be a lot of difficulties to be ironed out I think what happens to Faslane would be more pressing!

[LazyGun]

The most recent opinion poll I saw on the subject of scottish feelings toward independence suggested that around 2/3 were against separation, so its a big ask for the SNP.

[whiskeryron]

To really get an opinion on what the Scots really feel about independance would require 100% of Scots taking part in the vote & I cannot ever imagine any group or nation of people showing 100% of interest at the polls.

WR.

[LazyGun]

@WR opinion polls are obviously not going to be definitive. Most of the more respectable poliing companies will however take a representative sample and extrapolate from that, which will be indicative - and where the margin is so great, that would likely be pretty good match with the eventual result.

[Zeuhl]

Though it's purely hypothetical, there are various forms of independence some of which won't affect the Armed Forces or other institutions.

Much as The Channel Islands and Isle of Man have their own parliament, tax regimes and laws but still join and call upon the British armed forces.

And the waters around The Irish Republic are still patrolled by the RNLI.

[modeller]

Most people who join the services want to travel abroad so I can't see them joining a Scottish unit, of the army,navy or air force. How about all the other units ,SAS, engineers, logistics, armoured corps, medical corp, intelligence etc. and the civil service. the list is endless.

If Scotland was a foreign country many branches of our services would not be able to employ them. The same thing applies in our defence industries foreigners are not allowed except with special permission.

I should imagine no Scottish organisation military or civilian could use the word Royal unless they reinstate the Scottish monarchy.
How about King Alex ? Maybe that's his hidden motive ?

[pdq1]

Who wants to be associated with a regiment that wears skirts.

[Snafu03]

Its little more than rose tinted spectacles.

[THECORBYLOON]

The army is part of Her Majesty's Forces and Queen Elizabeth will reign as Queen of Scots so the army will be (unless there is a change) HMF in Scotland too.

[Mick-Talbot]

Would what is left of the UK give them a tank or two and maybe a couple of jeeps , just to get them started?

[modeller]

#The army is part of Her Majesty's Forces and Queen Elizabeth will reign as Queen of Scots so the army will be (unless there is a change) HMF in Scotland too#

In that case what is meant by independance. ? Our services are constantly engaged in exercises, wars, UN activities etc. What would the Scots be doing ?

[EDDIE51]

If Scotland did become independant within the EU , how long before they needed a bailout ?

[jake-the-peg]

Scotland raises £54 billion on Scotland and only received £43.5 billion

http://blogs.channel4...nd-goes-it-alone/6524

you may have to rethink that "skintland" moniker

[youngmafbog]

Scotland will not be in the EU. It will have to apply. This, in my opinion, should also mean any Scottish working in the UK will need a visa, as from other countries outside the EU.

As for the troops, fine, float of the Scottish regiments, this should save us enough to pay our own and avoid massive redundancies.

I still think, as it affects us too, that the rest of the UK should get a vote. I for one would vote YES. Scottish in Scotland are fine people and I have had many a good night with them, however Sottish in England are always whining and banging on about how good Scotland is and how awful England is, but wont go back. Wonder why?

[jake-the-peg]

You cant make Scotland stay in the union because you want them to any more than you can make someone stay in a marriage against their will.

Your logic would imply that if the UK had a referendum and voted to leave the EU the rest of the mainland could say "No we're not letting you go"

What would you say to that?