The decision take by the House of Commons this week to launch air strikes on terrorists in Syria has been exceptionally controversial.
One of the loudest opponents to the additional military action has been the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, Alex Salmond. In his exclusive Courier column he outlines his reasons in fuller detail.
He says bombing “doesn’t work” and could actually increase the number of “inspired” attacks being carried out against the UK by fanatics who are influenced, not ordered, by so-called Islamic State.
The ex-party leader also backed armed police on Scotland’s streets, saying the number must “allow them to respond quickly and effectively to a possible incident”.
And Mr Salmond calls for community cohesion after a spike in anti-Islamic attacks followed the atrocities committed in Paris.
“Apart from being racist and unpleasant the perpetrators of such anti Muslim attacks are pathetic dupes in the terrorist’s game,” he writes.
As the First Minister who signed off the building of the Forth Replacement Crossing, Mr Salmond also has a few words to say about the chaos currently being caused by the road bridge being closed.
Meanwhile, he has a surprising suggestion about a fundraising effort in support of the Trident nuclear deterrent!
To read Alex Salmond’s exclusive column in full, pick up a copy of Monday’s Courier