Fibre-optic broadband is humming with the opening salvos of debate on the announcement from the SNP’s highheidyins that they have placed Scotland’s defence strategy—including NATO membership—as a keynote topic for discussion at the party’s upcoming Autumn Conference.

Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has set the tone. It is a posture that I, for one, have long argued as a way to win friends both in- and out-side the country and to secure an independent Scotland’s rightful and responsible place among its neighbours—but without the obscenity of nuclear weapons.

However, there is a long a honourable tradition among veteran SNP members (especially core activists) to distance themselves from all things nuclear, including any nuclear equipped alliance, which includes NATO. Their perspective is perhaps better expressed over at Burdzeyeview, a source I respect so much I was considering simply reblogging it.

It’s shaping up to be a real debate—like other democratic parties used to have. I hope others are relishing the prospect as I am.