Scotland & Nuclear Weapons
Posted: 15th March 2025
SCOTTISH Labour are facing calls to clarify their stance on the UK’s nuclear weapons after Anas Sarwar appeared to pull a unilateral U-turn at First Minister’s Questions. Speaking at Holyrood on Thursday, the Labour group leader called for First Minister John Swinney and the SNP to reverse their stance on Trident – the UK’s nuclear weapons system which is housed on the Clyde. The SNP oppose nuclear weapons and oppose renewing Trident, want to see the system removed from Scotland, and support an international treaty banning the bomb. Previously, Scottish Labour’s membership passed a motion opposing the renewal of Trident – and in 2021 Sarwar backed it despite Keir Starmer’s support for the policy. Sarwar has now suggested that he supports the UK’s nuclear weapons being renewed. Speaking at FMQs, the Scottish Labour leader said: “Global events are reshaping the world before our eyes. This is a generation defining moment, and all political parties and both of Scotland’s governments must adjust to this new reality and rethink previous red lines.”
The National 13th March 2025
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25005720.anas-sarwar-seems-u-turn-scottish-labour-nuclear-weapons-policy/
During First Minister’s Questions on 13th March, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged First Minister John Swinney to reconsider the Scottish Government’s approach to national security, arguing that “global events are reshaping the world before our eyes” and that “all political parties and both of Scotland’s Governments must adjust to the new reality and rethink previous red lines.” Sarwar welcomed the UK Labour Government’s recent decision to increase defence spending, stating that this would “not only help to keep us safe, but will deliver more investment and jobs in Scotland.” He pointed to Scotland’s strengths in “shipbuilding, engineering and manufacturing” as areas that could benefit significantly but warned that Scotland’s “outdated skills system holds Scotland back.” He pressed Swinney on whether the Scottish Government would act to “build a skills system that is fit for the future” so that Scotland could fully capitalise on the investment flowing into the defence sector.
UK Defence Journal 13th March 2025
John Swinney has insisted conventional forces could protect Scotland from any “Russian aggression” – despite claims from Labour that his opposition to Trident nuclear weapons will make the country “less safe”. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had challenged the First Minister to “re-examine his red lines” in relation to defence, stressing the importance of this to “ensure we are never at the mercy of dictators like Putin”. The Labour leader made the plea a week after former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford had challenged his party to move away from supporting unilateral disarmament for the UK. But the SNP leader was clear, saying: “Mr Sarwar knows my position on the nuclear deterrent. I don’t believe nuclear weapons should form part of the defence approach that we take forward.”
STV 13th March 2025