Politics / Lyall calls time on Lib Dem membership
COUNCILLOR Moraig Lyall has ended her membership with the Liberal Democrats after failing to be selected as the party’s Shetland candidate for next year’s Scottish Parliament election.
The independent councillor’s register of interests shows that while she joined the party in March, she ended her membership this week.
Lyall and council leader Emma Macdonald vied for the Lib Dem candidacy, with the latter securing more support from members to become the party’s candidate.
Lyall, who chairs the council’s environment and transport committee, said in March that she had been encouraged to consider the vacancy following current Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart’s decision to stand down in 2026.
She said at the time that “while initially hesitant, I decided to explore the opportunity and have now joined the party”.
This week Lyall said she had approached things in the manner of applying for a new job – “albeit one with an unusual application process”.
“Having failed to secure the nomination, I’m doing what anyone does in that situation and getting on with my existing work,” she said.
“I only have so much time and energy and have to decide where to focus it.
“My priority now has to be the roles I currently have as chair of environment and transport and councillor for Shetland Central.
“Having dipped my toe for the first time into party politics I’m not sure it’s for me, at least for now.”
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, who has represented Orkney and Shetland since 2001, said: “Obviously no political party ever likes to lose a member but I understand Moraig’s reasoning and wish her well.
“She is an effective and committed councillor and I have always enjoyed working with her.
“That was true before and during her time as a Liberal Democrat member and I am sure it will continue to be the case going forward.”
Out of Shetland’s cohort of 23 councillors, only two were not elected as an independent member – the SNP’s Robbie McGregor and Alex Armitage of the Greens.
As well as Macdonald being a Liberal Democrat member outside of the chamber, North Isles councillor Ryan Thomson is the convener of the local SNP branch.
The Lib Dems, meanwhile, have won every Shetland election since the start of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 – while the party has reigned supreme in every general election vote in the Northern Isles since 1950.
The only other candidate publicly confirmed so far in the Shetland election for the Scottish Parliament next year is the SNP’s Hannah Mary Goodlad.
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