News / Shexit: council decides to withdraw from CPMR
MEMBERS of Shetland Islands Council decided on Tuesday to withdraw from the European Union’s Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) on the grounds that “we don’t get anything out of it”.
Formed in 1973, the CPMR brings 160 regions from 28 countries together and works on policy areas including transport, agriculture, maritime and rural development.
Councillors were being asked to appoint a member to attend CPMR meetings, which are held throughout the continent, when development committee chairman Alastair Cooper interjected to question the value of the organisation.
Having worked as a council officer for more than a decade and been “on the edges” of the islands’ engagement with CPMR since being elected in 2007, Cooper said that “never in that time have I been able to say, hand on heart, that the CPMR physically did something for Shetland”.
He acknowledged the importance of continued engagement with the European Union amid Brexit negotiations in the next two years.
But Cooper argued that was best done via the Scottish and UK governments and, if necessary, directly with directorates in Brussels.
“There’s been lots of motions, lots of things said, but to be honest with you the commission takes no account of the work and the activities of the CPMR,” he said.
“We’re ridiculed for going to the Gaudeloupes and all the exotic places. I think we should stay home, do our business from here and attend Brussels as and when we need to.”
Recently-elected South Mainland councillor Robbie McGregor disagreed, saying it was essential to engage with the EU at all times.
“I feel that in these troubled times, where the route Brexit is going to take us is increasingly unclear, it’s absolutely vital that we have someone at the table at every possible opportunity,” he said.
McGregor added that he had followed recently-retired councillor Jonathan Wills’ visits to the CPMR on Shetland’s behalf “with great interest in the last few months”.
But Cooper’s motion – which he clarified meant withdrawing from membership of the CPMR as well as not sending a delegate to its meetings – won the day by a decisive margin of 14 votes to three.
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