"Tim Roll-Pickering" wrote:
Bruce wrote:
Conservatives are a party committed to the UK as a whole and its position
in
the world.

What 'position in the world' would that be?

That of a third rate former Imperial nation? That of a third rate
former military power? That of a bankrupt former economic power?


Well to pull just one example off the top of my head, John Major always
believed that if Scotland went, so would the UK's permanent seat on the UN
Security Council (see his memoirs for more of this).

I'm not sure that you gain any credibility by quoting John Major, one
of the worst Prime Ministers the UK has ever had.

It wouldn't surprise me if the UK lost its permanent seat at the UN in
any case. That was based on the UK's position as a world power, which
was already in doubt when the UN was established at the end of WW2.

If Scotland left the UK, the UK would have nowhere to base its nuclear
submarines. I suppose that could be a tipping point vis-a-vis the UN
as our conventional forces lack any real credibility internationally.
Frankly, for a fairly small country whose wealth is severely depleted,
we should not be wasting so much money on nuclear weapons anyway.

Then there's the weight in Europe (not all Conservatives want to pull out).

The UK has no more "weight" in the EU than Denmark or Poland. We
should learn to recognise that fact, leave the EU and return to EFTA,
restoring our relationship with other European countries to one of
trade only. Our pathetically depleted armed forces could still
contribute to NATO.

The UK does punch above
its weight more than is often realised and isn't just a US satellite.

The UK isn't even a US satellite. We are far less important.

Breaking up the UK would reduce all that.

I don't think you have quoted any valid reasons for the UK to stay
together. I wish Alex Salmond and the Yes campaign in Scotland every
success, and look forward to seeing Scotland gain its independence
during what remains of my lifetime.