Letters / A clear path to prosperity
I note the barrage of gloom and doom being poured upon us by some of our ‘political elitists’ in Shetland Island Council.
Gary Robinson and Jonathon Wills lament the imminent downfall of the Shetland seafood industry due to Brexit and the stance of the UK government.
Specifically “the Prime Minister said she would not seek to retain membership of the single market”. I would like to point at, not unusually, our political leader, Gary Robinson, spouting his usual sycophantic bilge in following Sturgeons’ line…
The worst possible scenario here would be a total hard break with the EU and no agreement whatsoever.
That would result in World Trade Organisation tariffs being imposed on Shetland seafood exports to Europe. The World Trade Organisation tariffs on seafood average 14 per cent, a figure more than covered by the devaluation of the pound since the EU referendum.
Our position to export to Europe, would in fact be far stronger than pre EU referendum!
The greatest threat to Shetland welfare actually comes from the £8.5 million grant cut from the Scottish Government and Sturgeons endless fanatical pursuit for Scottish independence, even with a Scottish deficit of some £14 billion. No comment of this from Wills, or political leader Gary Robinson.
Just think, if Wir Shetland is successful, and we gain autonomy, winning clearance from the Scottish and UK governments, Shetland could negotiate its own trade deal with whoever we want and that could go way beyond Europe… a clear path to prosperity.
Ian Tinkler
Clousta
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