Gents (and Ladies),
I'm a former foreign correspondent with The Times turned defence analyst, and am preparing a report on the potential defence implications of Scottish independence. I've spoken with the admins and they've kindly given me the all-clear to start this thread to that end.
As part of my work, I want to obtain some reliable, empirical data on what proportion of servicemen and women in Scots regiments would choose to join a Scottish Defence Force if given the choice, and what proportion would prefer to remain with the British Armed Forces.
I've spoken to Angus Robertson, the SNP Defence Spokesman, and he's assured me that should Scotland vote for independence next year, service personnel in Scottish regiments will indeed be given that choice.
I've prepared a survey, and if you are a currently serving in a Scottish regiment, or have done so in the past, or if you are a Scot in another regiment or service arm that cannot be so easily classified (RLC, Air Force etc) , I would be grateful if you could fill it out. It's only one page with four questions, so not a lot!
If you are not or have not served with a Scottish regiment or you aren't a Scot who complies with the above, please do not fill out the survey, as alas, this question won't apply to you.
Please post your completed survey below, or else send direct to me at scottishdefence@gmail.com
Survey below, and thanks very much!
George
SCOTTISH DEFENCE SURVEY
1. In the event of Scotland voting ‘Yes’ to Independence in 2014 would you want to:
(Choose only one answer)
A. Remain in the British Armed Forces
B. Join the Scottish Defence Force (SDF)
C. Don’t know
i. If you answered ‘A’ to Question 1, was this because you believed the British Armed Forces would:
(You can choose more than one answer)
A. Offer more opportunities for foreign travel and operations than the SDF
B. Offer better pay and conditions than the SDF
C. Be a more effective fighting force than the SDF
D. Best enable me to serve my country
E. Other (please explain)
ii. If you answered ‘B’ to Question 1, was this because you believed the SDF would:
(You can choose more than one answer)
A. Offer more opportunities for foreign travel and operations than the British Armed Forces
B. Offer better pay and conditions than the British Armed Forces
C. Be a more effective fighting force than the British Armed Forces
D. Best enable me to serve my country
E. Other (please explain)
2. Compared with the British Armed Forces, do you believe a Scottish Defence Force could provide an independent Scotland with:
(Choose only one answer)
A. Better protection than it receives as part of the United Kingdom
B. Worse protection than it receives as part of the United Kingdom
C. About the same
3. In the 2014 referendum will you vote for Scotland:
(Choose only one answer)
A. To remain a part of the United Kingdom
B. To become independent
C. Don’t know
D. Won’t vote
I'm a former foreign correspondent with The Times turned defence analyst, and am preparing a report on the potential defence implications of Scottish independence. I've spoken with the admins and they've kindly given me the all-clear to start this thread to that end.
As part of my work, I want to obtain some reliable, empirical data on what proportion of servicemen and women in Scots regiments would choose to join a Scottish Defence Force if given the choice, and what proportion would prefer to remain with the British Armed Forces.
I've spoken to Angus Robertson, the SNP Defence Spokesman, and he's assured me that should Scotland vote for independence next year, service personnel in Scottish regiments will indeed be given that choice.
I've prepared a survey, and if you are a currently serving in a Scottish regiment, or have done so in the past, or if you are a Scot in another regiment or service arm that cannot be so easily classified (RLC, Air Force etc) , I would be grateful if you could fill it out. It's only one page with four questions, so not a lot!
If you are not or have not served with a Scottish regiment or you aren't a Scot who complies with the above, please do not fill out the survey, as alas, this question won't apply to you.
Please post your completed survey below, or else send direct to me at scottishdefence@gmail.com
Survey below, and thanks very much!
George
SCOTTISH DEFENCE SURVEY
1. In the event of Scotland voting ‘Yes’ to Independence in 2014 would you want to:
(Choose only one answer)
A. Remain in the British Armed Forces
B. Join the Scottish Defence Force (SDF)
C. Don’t know
i. If you answered ‘A’ to Question 1, was this because you believed the British Armed Forces would:
(You can choose more than one answer)
A. Offer more opportunities for foreign travel and operations than the SDF
B. Offer better pay and conditions than the SDF
C. Be a more effective fighting force than the SDF
D. Best enable me to serve my country
E. Other (please explain)
ii. If you answered ‘B’ to Question 1, was this because you believed the SDF would:
(You can choose more than one answer)
A. Offer more opportunities for foreign travel and operations than the British Armed Forces
B. Offer better pay and conditions than the British Armed Forces
C. Be a more effective fighting force than the British Armed Forces
D. Best enable me to serve my country
E. Other (please explain)
2. Compared with the British Armed Forces, do you believe a Scottish Defence Force could provide an independent Scotland with:
(Choose only one answer)
A. Better protection than it receives as part of the United Kingdom
B. Worse protection than it receives as part of the United Kingdom
C. About the same
3. In the 2014 referendum will you vote for Scotland:
(Choose only one answer)
A. To remain a part of the United Kingdom
B. To become independent
C. Don’t know
D. Won’t vote