Letters / Political vision and boldness needed
Very interesting to read the contributed article about community councils coming together across the north of Scotland to discuss renewable power and the relationship with communities.
Pity pathetic double-speak at the event from Tory MSP Halcro-Johnston on empowering local communities. The antithesis of his party’s ideology
Very telling that whilst a paper on community energy was presented by local man Tom Wills, it would seem Shetland community councils and its association were not present.
Could it be that the SSE Community Benefit Fund has indeed bought the silence of Shetland communities in terms of any future big wind developments – on or off-shore?
I am left wondering about the correlation, if any, between beneficiary landowners and those who sit on the same area community councillors?
Irrespective, the recent ‘deal’ reached between the current SIC leadership and Statkraft re Sella Ness has left me confused – only because it is very unclear if it is a beneficial deal or not. At first glance it looks far from it.
The lack of openness, transparency and accountability by the SIC leadership, still relying on a Tory lobbyist to do the job they are paid to do, does not bode well for Cllr Macdonald’s Holyrood electoral chances next year.
Will Shetland’s usual moothless majority back such inadequacy?
In her challenge for the seat, Hannah Mary Goodlad Scott would do well to begin to set out her stall on some of the big issues in relation to Shetland and demonstrate some clear blue and white water between party line and what Shetland actually needs.
It is clearly the silly season with the Lib Dems having yet another summer – the third – of tunnel myopia, passing itself if as vision.
If the Unst and Yell tunnel groups are nailing their colours to the Lib Dems’ mast, they would be wise to scrutinise Cllr Macdonald’s record as council leader.
First Minister John Swinney visiting the islands is a brave step if he is coming empty-handed in terms of local government reform and fiscal and planning empowerment.
Otherwise, he may be something of a liability to Hannah’s chances, and obvious talents, honed in the commercial sector, at Equinor no less. It will be a waste of her time contesting the Shetland seat if she is to be merely ballot fodder for central belt, centralist SNP.
We really do need a show of real political vision, boldness and leadership around which the Shetland electorate can be enlivened and pull itself out of its apathy and moothlessness.
James J Paton
Lerwick
