Friday 29 March 2024
 6.5°C   NE Fresh Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Election / Election campaign under way after main rivals open town offices

The SNP and Lib Dems' candidates Robert Leslie (left) and Alistair Carmichael.

THE TWO main contenders to win the Orkney and Shetland seat at next month’s general election have again occupied campaign hubs directly opposite each other on Lerwick’s high street.

During the bitterly fought Holyrood by-election in August of this year, the Liberal Democrats, operating from former accountancy offices at 122 Commercial Street, saw off a challenge from the SNP, who had set up their campaign headquarters in a former butcher’s shop across the street.

Now, just three months later, Shetland is set to be treated to a re-run of the spectacle, this time for the UK parliament and with less money to burn on visiting politicians.

During the June 2017 snap election, the Liberal Democrats’ Alistair Carmichael easily won the contest with 48.6 per cent of the votes against the SNP’s Miriam Brett, who polled 29 per cent of the votes.

While both are staunch supporters of continued membership of the European Union, the main difference is whether Scotland should continue to remain in the union of nations that is the United Kingdom or would it be better off to go it alone as an independent country.

Around 60 per cent of the electorate voted to remain in the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Lib Dems candidate Alistair Carmichael with some of the party’s supporters at the campaign launch on Saturday.

Speaking during Saturday’s opening of the Lib Dems’ campaign office, candidate Alistair Carmichael promoted an active campaign focusing on the issues that matter to local people, and supporting Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom against SNP calls for independence.

“We have voted in two referendums in recent years – on Scottish Independence in 2014 and on leaving the European Union in 2016. On both occasions Liberal Democrats were on the same side of the majority view of local opinion,” he said.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

 

“In this campaign only the Liberal Democrats stand on a platform of keeping Scotland in the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom in the European Union.

“In August the SNP threw everything they possibly could trying to win the by-election.  They spent more in Shetland than they did on campaigning across the whole of Scotland in the Brexit referendum of 2016.”

The SNP had opened their office and launched their campaign two days earlier.

The SNP, meanwhile, opened their hub two days earlier. The party’s candidate Robert Leslie said the general election was one opportunity for Scotland’s people to take control of their own future.

“I learned my campaigning through joining Yes Orkney early in the referendum for independence, being active from June 2012,” he said.

“I then joined the SNP in November 2014 and have worked for Mike Mackenzie when he was an MSP for the Highland and Islands and now for Maree Todd in the same role.

“I was honoured to help the late Danus Skene with his general election campaign in 2015 and then be Miriam Brett’s main contact in Orkney for 2017.”

Addressing party workers, he added: “I know everyone in this room will put every effort into this campaign and it will be crucial to get our vote out.

“With the public clearly turned off by the Brexit chaos of Westminster and the legacy parties there, this is our opportunity to say the Scotland’s people want to take control of their own future.”

The other four candidates are in alphabetical order: David Barnard (Independent), Coilla Drake (Scottish Labour), Jennifer Fairbairn (Scottish Conservatives), and Robert Smith (Brexit Party). To find out more about all the candidates please go to our special election page at www.shetnews.co.uk/category/features/general-election-2019/ 

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.

 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

We're committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to impartial, open and quality local journalism that benefits all residents.

By supporting Shetland News, you play a vital role in ensuring we remain a pivotal resource in supporting the community.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.