Has Emma changed her position on autonomy?

In his ViewPoint piece for Shetland News on 31 August Alistair Carmichael appears to believe Shetland autonomy is a good thing although he never specifies what autonomy might mean for Shetland.

‘Independence for me but not for thee’

Autonomy is not some vague concept.

In my opinion it is essential if Shetland is to achieve its full potential. It is all about Shetland having the ability to have more say over our own affairs.

Things like Shetland having control over our vital NorthLink contract, the ability to control renewable energy projects in the same way as we did with the oil industry in the 1970s, the return to the islands of the millions per year that the Crown Estate takes in rent from the Shetland aquaculture industry and the pressing need for Shetland to have more say over how Marine Scotland manages and enforces fisheries around Shetland.

The Liberal Democrats however appear to be all over the place when it comes to autonomy. Their candidate for next year’s Holyrood election (the ‘independent’ council leader Emma Macdonald) recently told the press that instead of autonomy, she wants fairness.

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Does this mean the SIC political leader has abandoned the long standing SIC policy of seeking more local control? Do her fellow councillors agree?

Perhaps Emma can explain why she has changed her position on autonomy?

Or was this simply the first of many gaffes that I suspect we will see more of over the next few months?

Peter Malcolmson
Lerwick