News / Councils seek meeting with Mundell
The Scottish island authorities that launched the Our Islands Our Future campaign in 2013 are seeking meetings with the new UK government to gain reassurances about the future.
Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles councils hope that the new Conservative majority government will continue to honour the project, which began life under the previous Tory/LibDem coalition.
Our Islands Our Future aims to achieve greater autonomy for Scotland’s outlying communities.
The three councils are seeking to meet soon with new Scottish secretary David Mundell, who was promoted to the role isles MP Alistair Carmichael had held until last week.
Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Angus Campbell, said: “We welcome the appointment of David Mundell as Secretary of State for Scotland, having worked productively with him in the past, and look forward to doing so in the future.
“We did the groundwork previously with the UK government and although there has been a change in government we would expect them to continue along similar lines with regard to Our Islands Our Future.
“Hopefully there may be additional powers for Scotland as argued for by the islands councils in their submission to the Smith Commission.”
Campbell added that he feels the change of government won’t affect Our Islands Our Future’s relationship with UK officials.
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.
