Letters / It’s time health services in Shetland got the support they deserve
I’ve just received another Emma Macdonald election leaflet, and again, I have to agree with Emma’s words: “It’s time health services in Shetland got the support they deserve”.
At Westminster, Shetland has had Liberal Democrat MPs for at least 170 years, including Alistair Carmichael for the last two decades.
In Holyrood, Shetland has had Lib Dem representation for over 25 years, initially the great Tavish Scott and latterly Beatrice Wishart.
Emma herself has been a Lib Dem councillor for almost a decade and the SIC leader for the last three years.
Also, Emma currently has a leading role on the Shetland Health Board representing the council, where the spending of the Scot Gov allocated £90 million per year is determined.
With all of this in mind, what do we really think is going to change in 2026 if Emma was to win Shetland for the Lib Dems again? I think we know what will change: absolutely nothing.
After decades of Liberal representation for Shetland, in Westminster and Holyrood – and Alistair always keen not to offend anyone to ensure his peerage – if health services are going to provide the support Shetland deserves, we need to change.
We need to change out the well-practiced complainers, the Liberal Democrats, and replace them with a bold doer, Hannah Mary Goodlad, someone who will have real influence within the Scottish Government.
Gary Horne
Levenwick
