News / Yes Shetland start the ball rolling
A NEWLY formed campaign group is to hold public meetings across Shetland to encourage islanders to debate their constitutional future.
Yes Shetland describes itself as a “short-lived working group” to stimulate local debate in the run-up to the independence referendum in October 2014.
Spokesman Scott Miller said they wanted to see special treatment and “a greater voice” for Shetland within an independent Scotland.
The 44 year old ex-RAF nurse said: “Even if there is a No vote the makeup of Britain is going to change quite considerably, and we need to campaign for the strongest possible voice that we can have.
“For that reason we need to get the debate off the ground.”
He said the fact that both Shetland MSP Tavish Scott and highlands and islands list MSP Jean Urquhart had already referred to a ‘Shetland Clause’ should be seen as a rallying call.
Miller, from Mossbank, added that he was aware that the isles had been slow to take up the issue.
“Shetlanders are an unusual breed in that they hold their cards very, very close to their chest, and they do not always say what they are necessarily thinking.
“We see Orkney and the western isles having this debate, it is something that we need to do as well.
“We should not leave it until the last six months before the referendum. This would be too late as we would have to play catch-up and would never get to where we wanted to be.”
The group is now aiming to host public meetings across the islands to bring the issue into communities.
Yes Shetland meet again in the Islesburgh Community Centre on 15 February.
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