Startling lack of ambition
On 17 November 2011 in response to the last council’s flawed Council spending – have YOUR say consultation, I sent a six page submission outlining cost possible savings, and in closing proposed to the then chief executive Alistair Buchan that some money be expended to ensure that Shetland came away from the devolution process with greater powers in light of the Scottish government’s increasingly authoritarian and centralist tendencies.
‘Instead of reserving its position on the subject of the Scottish government’s undertaking to hold an independence referendum in the second half of the Parliamentary term,’ I wrote, ‘I would express my fear that Shetland seems to be sleepwalking into the embrace of constitutional change.’
I continued: ‘You may recall that in the late 1970s the question of Scottish devolution loomed large at Westminster, and in light of our heritage and to safeguard our interests, Parliament agreed to an amendment to the 1978 Scotland Act, moved by isles MP Jo Grimond, to ensure that the islands be given the option of setting up a commission to consider the options open to them should the Scottish people support the devolution proposals in a referendum.
‘In the event, the referendum fell at a 40% turnout hurdle, and the Act was subsequently repealed a year later.
‘The Councils in Shetland and Orkney jointly employed a parliamentary agent to draft the clause, and agreed a budget for their successful lobbying of influential MPs.
‘I am sure that I am not alone in feeling that the Council’s devolution files be dusted off with a view to preparing an amendment to whatever Bill is drafted by Edinburgh or Westminster.
‘This then represents an appeal to spend a little money, rather than do nothing, and I trust that this suggestion might stimulate debate on this most pressing issue.’
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I received a polite acknowledgement from Mr Buchan, but the outgoing council and the new 2012 intake effectively sat on their hands as the Scottish and UK governments began discussions on the arrangements for the devolution referendum.
No amount of local politicians of the year awards can compensate for the startling lack of ambition shown in the Our Islands Our Future campaign.
I look forward to a ‘Yes’ vote in Scotland; a resounding ‘No’ from Shetland, and the emergence of a grassroots movement in Shetland to campaign for an entirely different constitutional arrangement to that envisioned by our council’s leadership.
Michael Peterson
3 Sandy Loch Drive
Lerwick
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