GR Direct - Sony - Save up to £500
Saturday 26 July 2025
 15.6°C   SW Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Local Government Election 2012 / Robbie Leith

robbie leith
Robbie Leith
Independent
Lerwick South

My name is Robbie Leith. I am standing for the Lerwick South ward in the Council election. I am a taxi driver and barman in Lerwick, and a musician at the weekend.

I am on the left of the political spectrum. I want to be a councillor because I would like to make life better and bearable for the people who live here.

We are living in times when public money is very scarce – partly due to the actions of previous Councils. Unfortunately, the cure that some councillors are proposing could be fatal. The timetable that has been suggested for cuts, and the level of those cuts, is far too fast, and far too great.

So the main task for the new Council will be to revisit the Council’s finances, with a view to protecting services for the vulnerable people who depend on them. Candidates who believe that we will solve all our problems by sacking large numbers of public service workers are living in dreamland. Large numbers of redundancies will not just reduce demand in our economy – it might well lead to depopulation.

I have had my share of health problems in the past, and I am very concerned about the situation at Lerwick Health Centre. Voters have complained to me that there are far too few appointments available. The Council needs to make representations to the Health Board about this problem at the earliest opportunity.

I have taken a great interest in the windfarm question, and I understand the fears of some people, especially about its environmental impact. But the project is going ahead, and Shetland must make the best of it. If the windfarm can help Shetland’s ailing finances – and sustain our social services and our recreational and cultural facilities – that can only be a good thing.

Contact details
Mobile 07880 950248

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 

Sign up
for our Newsletters

Stay in the loop with newsletters tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking for daily updates, weekly highlights, or updates on jobs or property, you can choose exactly what you want to receive.

Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.