A degree of hope

For the first time in Scotland’s history we have a government minister, Jamie Hepburn, Sport and Health Improvement, also overseeing mental health.

This will give a degree of hope to those both involved in running mental health services and to those requiring them. A huge task here in Shetland.

For the first time in the Isles’ history we have a dedicated minister for the island groups in Derek Mackay, coupled with the enthusiasm in Holyrood for “Our Islands, Our Future”.

This gives hope of more direct action and communication between the Islands and Holyrood.

Which begs the question why, with all his power, Alistair Carmichael and the Liberal Democrats have had as coalition partners in both Holyrood with Labour, and the Conservatives in London, they delivered neither?

Power is useless if not used.

Douglas Young

Sumburgh