Constitutional future
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott believes this week’s visit by Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg will reignite discussions about the islands’ constitutional future.
His comments came as the two northern isles Liberal Democrat MSPs submitted their joint response to the Scottish government’s consultation on the independence referendum.
Mr Scott and Liam McArthur, representing Orkney, point to the centralisation taking place under the SNP administration and call for more power to be transferred to the isles.
“We advocate more powers and responsibilities for the northern isles,” Mr Scott said.
“Five years of nationalism in Edinburgh has been five years of centralisation. Control of colleges, police and fire are all being removed from the islands. The nationalist government now promote laws that will push up tenants rents in Shetland and could cost jobs and investment in the salmon farming industry.
“To top all this there is now growing uncertainty over the future contract for our lifeline ferry services. It is not hard to conclude that the Islands themselves would be better placed to make such decisions.
“It is certainly the case that many Shetlanders feel a Norse connection rather than a Scottish one. These sentiments are sure to be echoed on Wednesday and Thursday when we welcome the Norwegian prime minister to the islands.
“Our cultures remain closely linked and I think the visit will reignite discussions about Shetland’s constitutional future amongst the islanders.”
Mr Stoltenberg will be in Shetland this week to open the new Scalloway museum on Thursday.
On Wednesday Shetland Islands Council’s head of housing Anita Jamieson will give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s finance committee about the threat to the housing support grant as proposed by the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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