Letters / We need a fair election race
AN OPEN LETTER from the pressure group “We the People of Shetland” calling on political parties in the isles to back their call for a Northern Isles by-election to be held:
We are a collection of individuals with different or no political affiliation. We know that the people of our islands are not united in their condemnation or support of Mr Carmichael’s actions.
We believe that the people of Shetland deserve to have an MP who is elected in an open, honest and fair contest. The constitution of Mr Carmichael’s party states that “The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society…” The information withheld by Mr Carmichael prevented the election in Orkney and Shetland being run in this way. We need a fair race where all constituents are aware of the entirety of Mr Carmichael’s 14 year career, including his actions which have generated such a variety of feelings both locally and nationally.
It is our view that politics should be conducted in an open, honest and transparent way. Fair play, honesty and decency are traditional liberal values that permeate Shetland and Orkney. Local people value others being treated with respect and this should extend to your political opponents. With this in mind, we kindly request that people remember Alistair Carmichael is a man with a family, and while you may disapprove of his actions we ask people, locally and nationally, to be respectful and measured towards him.
We believe a by-election is necessary so that this issue does not drag on and become divisive within our community. It is essential that whoever wins can say they did so on a ticket of honesty. nIf Mr Carmichael stands and is returned then he will be able to say that the people of Orkney and Shetland have listened to and forgiven him.
We respectfully request that the chairmen of the local political parties reconsider our call for a fresh election.
If Mr Carmichael has not resigned before Saturday 30 May we will hold a gathering to collect signatures for the letter above at 2:00pm at the market cross, Lerwick, to be presented at a later date to Mr Carmichael.
We look forward to receiving your reply,
“We the People of Shetland”
Iain Malcolmson
Lewie Peterson
Louise Thomason
Kris Drever
Louise Giblin
Logan Nicolson
Floortje Robertson
Tim Matthew
Jonny Polson
Dorcas Johnson
Chloe Tallack
Brian Murphy
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