Viewpoint / ‘We axe fir what we want’
SNP parliamentary candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad explains in this ViewPoint contribution why, in her opinion, Shetland must get the powers to stop the industrialisation of our islands
Last month I was in our beautiful Lerwick Town Hall, proudly showing some Norski friends around. A symbol of our democracy, a testament to friendships across the North Sea, and a monument to Shetland grit and stamina – I’m always proud to show it off.
Downstairs, amongst the stained-glass windows, one stands out. The Black Raven, with the red claws and the motto: “We axe fir what we want.” It’s a phrase I’ve carried with me through life. It speaks to us in Shetland for different reasons – take life by the scruff of the neck, grip opportunities with both hands and if nothing comes our way, go and chase it – with gusto!
That is what it means to be a Shetlander: creative, resourceful, determined.
We make things happen. Or at least, that is how it should be.
I’ve spent 15 years working internationally in the energy industry. And during that time, there were plenty tough calls, hard deals and impossible negotiations with other companies. We didn’t win them all. I’ve been on the losing team plenty. But we never gave up. If the opportunity wasn’t there, we created it. If we got a no, we worked it into a yes. And when I couldn’t do it alone – which was often – I would pick up the phone and ask for help from others. That attitude meant we got things done.
So, like many of you, I was disheartened last week reading the SIC leadership’s defeatist line that there are “very, very limited” powers to manage or stop energy related developments in our islands.
Defeatism has no place when it comes to the industrialisation of our home. With a little bit of creativity and stubborn ambition, much more can be done.
The first minister was crystal clear when we hosted him here in Shetland: “Come with a shopping list” for more autonomy. Since our SIC leadership won’t, here’s mine:
- Planning: All energy project planning in Shetland, of any size, should come under local control.
- Seabed: Shetland should have direct control over Crown Estate leasing and revenues, so that we can set conditions – or say no – to offshore cables, substations and wind developments.
- Community Consent: Lobby for a legal requirement of community council approval before onshore energy projects proceed. Norway, Denmark, Germany, Canada, even US states, already do this.
Autonomy stretches beyond energy – into marine, transport, and more and I look forward to detailing my broader vision out in time, but this would be my starter for the topic of energy.
Right now, our energy system is broken. Controlled from Westminster, where decade after decade, UK governments have prioritised corporations over communities, leaving us in the North to pay the highest price.
The UK has socialised the cost and privatised the profit. That’s not right, and it’s not fair.
We may not control decisions about grid connection or finance support, but we are not powerless.
Planning and the Crown Estate control could be our starter pack. And don’t forget our trump card – the SIC owns or controls a lot of key land and port infrastructure across Shetland.
The door to more local powers is open under an SNP government, but we must turn that handle. No one will hand Shetland the powers we need. We must demand them ourselves.
