Letters / Getting the right person in the seat at the table
I attended the BBC Radio Shetland hustings at Mareel on Tuesday night and found it very informative and, at times, amusing.
As someone who has previously voted Lib Dem during most elections over the 55 years I have had the vote, I must admit that I’ve become disillusioned with UK politics.
There is no single party which hasn’t gone back on manifesto commitments and/or made blunders which have cost the electorate dearly. Criticism is therefore very easy and appears to be one of the main methods used by many politicians to promote their party.
As to the amusing parts of the hustings, and without mentioning names or parties, I found the comments about the windless North Sea and moving King Charles, or if he didn’t agree, Prince William, to Edinburgh to be the highlights.
More worryingly we were told by one candidate, if I heard them correctly, that human caused climate change is unproven and that we should produce more CO2 as it helps things to grow.
There was also quite a lot of waffle about illegal immigrants taking jobs and money. It is obviously for everyone to make their own, hopefully informed, decision as to how they vote.
For my part, that decision is simplified by the fact that I’ve never opened the cover of any of the many right wing ‘newspapers’ and have never watched GB ‘News’.
It is not my intention in this short letter to criticise any of the seven candidates and one substitute who put forward their case.
There were however three who didn’t personally disappoint and one who excelled.
My constituency vote will go to Hannah Mary. She has demonstrated her commitment to Shetland. Her long and extensive international experience, particularly in relation to energy, will prove invaluable over the next four years.
It really isn’t only about getting a seat at the table but getting the right person in that seat. My second vote will go to Green.
As I put my crosses on the ballot, I will also be crossing my fingers that our additional member system results in the Highlands and Islands having minimal representation by Reform UK Party Limited!
Stephen Johnston
Lerwick
Immigration arguments and Scatsta ‘capitulation’ – candidates debate hot topics at BBC hustings
