THE Cabinet reshuffle saw the departure of the only Liberal Democrat in the Ministry of Defence, Nick Harvey ("PM's focus on future", The Herald, September 5).

He ran the Trident Alternatives Review, a Coalition concession allowing the Lib Dems to present alternatives to a like-for like replacement for Trident, when it reaches its "use by" date of 2025.

There is no doubt that the Tories will take this as the green light for Trident replacement. They envisage Scotland continuing in perpetuity as the base for the UK's weapon of mass destruction. The Labour Party will do likewise, as it continues its abject scramble to the right.

So we will spend £100 billion on a system of global mass-slaughter spawned by the Cold War and sustained by blind devotion to British delusions of global grandeur. Such is the lunacy of our hubris.

The fate of Trident is in Scottish hands. As there is nowhere else that Trident can operate from, a nuclear-free Scotland means a nuclear-free UK. In Scotland, the churches, trade unions, Scottish CND, and all sections of civil society are united in their opposition to Trident. These groups must find the integrity and courage to recognise that there is only one practical step that means an end for Trident, and that is independence.

Support for independence does not mean support for any one political party. The SNP does not have the prerogative on independence. This is also the policy of the Greens and the SSP. Now, more than ever, all who seek justice and peace, and reject Trident, must redouble their efforts to secure a Yes result in the oncoming referendum.

Brian Quail,

2 Hyndland Avenue, Glasgow.

BILL Ramsay of SNP CND suggests that Scotland does not need Nato because in terms of security we are "geopolitically blessed" (Letters, September 4). However, with the Arctic ice melting, the shipping route from Shanghai to Hamburg will open up – 6400 km shorter than the current journey through Suez. Warmer waters also mean new fishing, as marine life migrates northward, plus oil and gas opportunities.

Tensions are stirring. Iceland's government has blocked a Chinese businessman from buying 300 sq km of land beside deepwater ports, for fear of geopolitical implications. Norway has moved its military command centre to Bodo, just inside the Arctic Circle. Canada has stepped up military exercises and is building new Arctic patrol ships. Scotland cannot become a gap in the Denmark-Norway-Canada Nato front line.

The SNP is in government because it has built up public trust. To achieve independence, we need a credible defence policy for the man in the street. Step one is Nato membership. Step two is a full answer regarding Faslane/Coulport: Do you shell out billions of pounds in removal fees to England? Do you risk a nuclear-free Europe (except for France) bordered by Putin's nuclear Russia and with a Pacific-orientated USA? Can Scotland credibly join Nato as a trouble-make ? I want Scottish independence the easy way. That means Nato membership and a 49-year renewable lease arrangement for Faslane/Coulport with our "social union" partner, England.

Councillor Tom Johnston (SNP),

5 Burn View, Cumbernauld.