The issue of the future of nuclear weapons in Scotland rose to the surface this week as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, speaking in the US, said that an independent Scotland would apply to become a member of the Nato military alliance.

However, Scottish CND has questioned what this means for the ruling SNP’s long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons in Scotland.

Nato is a nuclear alliance – and questions have been asked about whether getting rid of Trident from the Clyde would be compatible with membership.

There were eyebrows raised when SNP defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald told the BBC an independent Scotland could “temporarily” host nuclear weapons.

Scottish CND said: “We are looking at a very slippery slope in which the anti-nuclear stance is watered down to a point that is meaningless and could mean the acceptance of a Guantanamo-type role for the Clyde bases. This would be a disastrous betrayal of the hopes so many Scots have for a new Scotland to be rid of these hideous weapons of mass slaughter.”

For many years, the SNP was against Nato membership for an independent Scotland, but this changed in 2012, and following the Russian invasion of Ukraine previously Nato-neutral states like Finland and Sweden have made moves to join the alliance.

This is why we are asking: would you support an independent Scotland joining Nato?

Vote now and join in the debate by leaving a comment below.