30 June – Glasgow

Discussion Evening 3 – Scotland and the UK’s Nuclear Role

Date: Monday, 30 June 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Glasgow Youth Hostel, 7/8 Park Terrace, Glasgow G3 6BY, United Kingdom

Speakers

To be determined (TBD)

Discussion Overview

The United Kingdom’s nuclear policy is deeply intertwined with Scotland’s political landscape, and few issues highlight this more than the Trident nuclear deterrent stationed at HM Naval Base Clyde. As the only nuclear weapons system in the UK’s arsenal, Trident is central to the country’s defence strategy and its standing in NATO. Yet, its presence in Scotland remains highly contested, with independence advocates arguing that an autonomous Scotland should not host nuclear weapons. If Scotland were to leave the UK, the future of Trident would be thrown into uncertainty, raising complex legal, logistical, and strategic questions.

Would the UK be forced to relocate its nuclear arsenal, and if so, where? Could it maintain its role as a nuclear power, or would this mark the beginning of its strategic decline? Beyond the independence debate, the UK’s nuclear posture faces scrutiny in the broader global arms control landscape. Despite being a nuclear state, Britain’s arsenal is modest compared to those of the US and Russia, raising questions about its influence in international disarmament efforts. The government’s recent decision to raise the cap on its nuclear warhead stockpile has further fuelled concerns about its commitment to arms control, prompting a re-evaluation of its role in shaping global non-proliferation norms. Meanwhile, Scotland has long been home to some of the UK’s most vocal anti-nuclear movements, with the Faslane Peace Camp standing as a symbol of grassroots opposition.

But how effective has activism been in shifting policy, and could an independent Scotland become a model for disarmament? This discussion will examine the future of the UK’s nuclear strategy, the geopolitical and security implications of Scottish independence, and the evolving role of nuclear weapons in an era of shifting global dynamics.