Were you saddened to hear that shipbuilding is to cease at BAE Systems’ yard in Portsmouth?
Yes: 90% No: 70% Don't know: 3%
Sympathy here from fellow engineers for those who look set to lose their jobs. Readers reminisced about the major role that the Portsmouth yard had played in Britain’s maritime history, and how disappointed they were to see shipbuilding cease.
2. As an island nation, should the UK maintain a military shipbuilding industry at all costs?
Yes: 72% No: 22% Don't know: 6%
Almost three-quarters of our readers felt that the UK needed to maintain a military shipbuilding capacity. Several respondents said that it would be lunacy for an island nation to lose the ability to make ships, and that if this capability was allowed to go it would never return to these shores.
3. Should the government buy its military vessels from UK yards, even if they could be found more cheaply elsewhere?
Yes: 80% No: 15% Don't know: 5%
There was a strong feeling that the government should buy its vessels from UK yards, even if the total bill was higher than if they were made elsewhere. Cheaper doesn’t mean better, it was said.
4. Are you worried that Scottish independence could lead to further fragmentation of the UK’s shipbuilding capabilities?
Yes: 63% No: 30% Don't know: 7%
Lots of ifs and buts in the answers here. Firstly, a Scottish vote for independence is by no means guaranteed. But if it does happen, then it remains unclear what the impact would be on the shipbuilding activities of companies such as BAE Systems. There was a fear that our fragile maritime industry would disintegrate completely if the UK began to break up. We are stronger together in terms of defence, many said.
5. Do you think that political considerations were a factor behind job losses in Portsmouth rather than yards in Scotland?
Yes: 67% No: 21% Don't know: 12%
A sizeable dollop of cynicism here. With a vote on Scottish independence taking place next year, closure of yards on the Clyde would have been politically damaging, to say the least. Two-thirds of readers felt that there had been political shenanigans behind the scenes to ensure that job losses in Scotland were kept to a minimum. If that was the case, it was manifestly unfair, many said.
6. Do you think shipbuilding will survive long-term at the Govan and Scotstoun yards on the Clyde?
Yes: 22% No: 40% Don't know: 38%
The Yes voters here said that it was inconceivable that the Govan and Scotstoun yards would ever be closed. An island nation could not afford to lose such capability under any circumstances, it was felt. But they were in a minority. Almost 80% had doubts about the future of the yards, with the extremely high Don’t Know vote suggesting that it was impossible to predict with any level of certainty.
7. Will you feel a sense of national pride when the UK launches its two aircraft carriers currently under construction?
Yes: 74% No: 20% Don't know: 6%
The launch of military vessels used to be big events in the national diary. Less so these days. But most engineers would feel pride when the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers finally set sail. Others said it was impossible to celebrate when the project was so delayed and so over-budget.
8. In an era of austerity, are military vessels a big-ticket luxury we can no longer afford?
Yes: 19% No: 71% Don't know: 10%
The multibillion-pound cost of the aircraft carrier project means questions have been asked about whether the UK can still afford such big ships. Perhaps we should just accept that we no longer have the financial resources to afford such prestigious vessels? But most of our readers disagreed with this. In an uncertain world, it was felt that it would be foolhardy to relinquish a maritime capability and that, despite the high costs, naval building remained a key resource to deliver security.