Letters / Can he be serious?
It is good to see Tavish Scott MSP giving consideration to alternative constitutional arrangements beyond the status quo with regard to Shetland.
It is difficult to imagine he is seriously proposing to the people of Shetland that becoming a Crown Dependency would be an attractive option.
If the experiences of other crown dependencies and international maritime law are taken into account, then under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Shetland under the rule of the British Crown would be viewed as an enclave within Scotland’s “Exclusive Economic Zone”, and would therefore only have the right to resources within a 12 mile radius of its coastline.
Crown Dependencies are also not technically part of the UK and therefore not part of the EU; although some elements of EU membership apply, others, such as freedom of movement and the Common Agricultural Policy, would not.
The ‘tax haven’ image of some Crown Dependencies is faded and jaded and not an ambition for Shetland, I think.
One of my final acts as a member of the SNP was to have a motion passed at conference for an Islands Strategy that would give greater autonomy to Shetland. I believe that this is the best way forward.
Other options offered by Mr Scott promote the idea of independence for Shetland; but not independence for Scotland. How liberal!
However, none of the options being offered by Mr Scott would have any significance at all were it not for the SNP bringing this debate to the table.
Reactionary ‘anything but independence’ tactics by those opposing can never ring true as they are at best a knee jerk reaction or cynical political wind-up.
Jean Urquhart
List MSP
Highlands and Islands
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
