Viewpoint / Why working together matters for Shetland
After nine years in the council chamber, independent councillor Emma Macdonald hopes she will be elected to represent Shetland for the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament. Her approach to politics, she says, is positive and aimed at getting things done
In my time in local politics here in Shetland, one thing has become very clear to me – you achieve far more by working with people than by working against them.
For the past nine years, I’ve had the privilege of representing our community, and like anyone who puts themselves forward for election, my focus has always been on trying to make Shetland a better place to live and work. That means focusing on what matters to folk here and getting on with the job.
When I was first elected in 2017, I quickly learned from more experienced colleagues that building relationships and working across organisations is what actually delivers results. In a council like ours, made up mostly of independents, you have to find common ground. You have to listen, and you have to work together, even on the more difficult issues.
We saw just how important that approach is during the pandemic. Overnight, the way we worked changed completely. Meetings moved online, and we had to find new ways of staying connected. What stood out was how strong cooperation was among Shetland’s key bodies; the council, NHS Shetland and wider Shetland Partnership worked closely together with a shared focus of supporting our community through a very difficult time. That joined-up approach made a real difference.
The reality is, while a lot of the work happens locally, decisions that affect us are often made elsewhere. That means it’s really important that Shetland has a strong voice at both Scottish and UK Government level.
When I became council leader in 2022, we made a real effort to improve how we engaged with both governments. That meant building relationships and making sure they understood the realities of island life. We saw progress with things like the UK Islands Forum, which gave us direct access to ministers, and through the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, where we could work more closely with Scottish Government ministers and other councils.
That kind of engagement matters. It’s helped us make the case for investment in our transport links, including tunnels, and to show clearly the contribution Shetland makes to the wider economy. For many people here, reliable transport isn’t a luxury – it’s a lifeline.
That doesn’t mean it’s always been easy. There have been times where we’ve had to push back and make our case strongly.
One example was the proposed National Care Service. From the start, there were real concerns here in Shetland. The reality is, our model of care is different, and for good reason. People are entitled to expect services that reflect the needs of our community, not a one-size-fits-all approach. It took time and persistence, but those concerns were heard.
We’ve also raised concerns about changes like reduced class contact time in schools. Of course, we all want to support teachers, but it’s really important that changes are properly thought through for places like Shetland, where staffing can already be a challenge.
This comes back to something simple – decisions made elsewhere don’t always reflect the reality here. That’s why having a strong, constructive voice matters.
By taking that approach, we’ve been able to secure real outcomes for Shetland. That includes a fully funded ferry service, investment in a new Fair Isle ferry, additional funding towards another much-needed vessel, and capital investment to support fixed links.
More recently, we’ve also seen progress on the idea of an islands’ accelerator approach, after working with colleagues in Orkney and the Western Isles to make the case that funding linked to offshore developments should be invested back into island communities.
None of that happened overnight. It took time, persistence and a lot of conversations. But it also took a willingness to work constructively and build respect.
We’ve seen a similar approach at a national level, where the Scottish Liberal Democrats have supported the Scottish Government budget where it has delivered real benefits – securing additional funding for social care, support for businesses and investment in colleges. That’s about focusing on practical outcomes, not politics for its own sake.
For me, that’s what this is all about. Getting things done and making a difference.
If I have the opportunity to represent Shetland in the Scottish Parliament, that is exactly how I would approach the role. Working with others, making Shetland’s case clearly and calmly, and focusing on what will make a real difference to people’s lives.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about political point scoring. It’s about making sure Shetland isn’t overlooked, and that our community gets its fair share.
We need a positive and practical approach to politics, one that is rooted in what matters to folk here across the isles.
Shetland deserves a representative who understands that; who will work with others, and who will always put the needs of our community first.
There are seven more candidates contesting the Shetland seat. They are in alphabetical order: Alex Armitage (Greens), Douglas Barnett (Conservatives), Vic Currie (Reform UK), John Erskine (Labour), Hannah Mary Goodlad (SNP), Brian Nugent (Alliance to Liberate Scotland) and Peter Tait (independent).
Click on the large banner below to learn more about the candidates:
