Autonomy conference cancelled after low ticket sales

A SHETLAND autonomy conference scheduled to take place later this month has been cancelled.

The event was due to be held on 20 April, but organiser James Paton said there had been low ticket sales – while three speakers had to cancel too.

It was set to be hosted by the new grassroots group Shetland Autonomy Action Team.

Its moderator Paton said: “There is interest in Shetland autonomy but it seems people are not quite sure or confident in terms of what to do about it – not unlike the council.”

Back in 2020 Shetland Islands Council voted to explore options for achieving financial and political self-determination.

There have been various shows of interest in greater autonomy over previous decades, including the Shetland Movement group formed in the late 1970s.

“It took Keir Hardie 111 years to realise a devolved Scottish Parliament from when he first mooted it in 1888,” Paton added, “so it might take some time to realise Shetland autonomy from its last zenith in the late 1980s.”