Third Green candidate throws hat into ring for council election
SHETLAND Greens have announced a third council election candidate.
Martin Randall will stand for the Scottish Green Party in the Shetland Central ward in the May election.
It comes after fellow Green members Alex Armitage (Shetland South) and Debra Nicolson (Shetland West) also put themselves forward for what promises to be a more party-political council election.
Randall, a retired minister in the Scottish Episcopal Church having previously worked in several parishes in Liverpool, moved to Shetland in 2018.
His career also included a lengthy period as a manager in the prison service, where he was responsible at various times for chaplaincy, resettlement, equality and inclusion and community engagement.
More locally Randall is a member of the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council as well as on the Tingwall Hall committee.
Boats of all kinds are a lifelong interest – he has his own small day-sailor, crews the Vaila Mae and helps with a conservation project at Shetland Museum.
Randall also is the current chair of Shetland Probus Club and a member of Shetland Community Choir.
“Since moving to Shetland I’ve become more aware of how vulnerable our natural environment is,” he said.
“We’ve decided to stand as Greens so that voters will know clearly what we stand for – we will publish a manifesto nearer to the election – even where there may be controversial issues or difficult conversations.
“As Shetland Islands councillors we commit to addressing the climate crisis through every aspect of the council’s operation as well as making it possible for Shetlanders to make sustainable choices.
“My Christian tradition gives me a clear and compelling vision of a world, infinitely complex and beautiful, which is entrusted to us as its stewards. So being a Green is a natural expression of my faith.”
Meanwhile a number of current councillors have expressed their intention to stand in the May election – although some senior members are standing down.
A drop-in event for anyone curious about standing in the election is being held at the Lerwick Town Hall on Thursday evening.
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