Letters / Democracy in action

In Theo Smith’s letter he made two serious allegations against me.

Firstly, that I was “claiming credit for the work of others” or that I am “buying election support”. Both allegations are serious, both are false and I choose to address both directly and publicly.

I acted entirely within the rules of party politics. On the doorsteps, one issue came up again and again: ferries. So instead of pleepsin, I decided to do something about it.

As an SNP member, I took a ferries motion to conference, using the stories of Shetlanders to make the case impossible to ignore. (Thank you again to all who got in touch – your voices made all the difference; our voices together made the change.)

The motion passed and became party policy. The SNP implemented that policy because they are the elected party of government. Nothing improper. Nothing hidden.

That is democracy in action. I welcome the subsequent support of the Lib Dems and Greens on this matter. Cross-party collaboration is how we deliver for Shetland and we need more of it, instead of this mudslinging.

We should expect better, I certainly do.

Hannah Mary Goodlad
SNP candidate for the Scottish Parliament election
Scalloway

Claiming credit for the work of others or buying election support?