Election / High-speed internet cable to Shetland mooted in SNP manifesto
THE SNP has pledged to launch a feasibility study into a potential subsea cable to bring high-speed internet from the Scottish mainland to Shetland homes and businesses.
The party launched its 2026 election manifesto this morning (Thursday), with first minister John Swinney setting out the SNP’s stall as it seeks an overall majority in Holyrood.
In the document, the SNP has said it will commission a study into “potential options” for a subsea cable delivering high-speed internet and telecommunications to businesses and communities across Shetland.
The Scottish Government has been rolling our full fibre broadband to Shetland sporadically, with the Unst the latest area announced to be able to connect.
No specific promise has been made in terms of fixed links for Shetland in the new manifesto.
However the SNP said that they would “support Shetland Islands Council’s exploration of financing models and promote investment opportunities in fixed links projects”.
It said it recognised the “transformative role” that fixed links could play for Shetland.
A new £300,000 islands scholarship is also set to be launched, aimed at encourage people from Scotland’s islands to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Swinney announced a number of other things that his party will look to carry out if elected into power on 7 May.
A £2 bus fare cap, which is currently being trialled in Shetland, is set to be rolled out across the country by the end of parliament.
More GP walk-in clinics, like the one recently opened in Lerwick, are also set to be opened across Scotland.
And Swinney has pledged to force big supermarkets to keep prices low on dozens of food essentials.
One aspect of the manifesto which has raised eyebrows is the SNP’s commitment to introducing a mobile phone ban across all of Scotland’s classrooms.
Shetland Islands Council decided against an outright ban on phones in secondary school classrooms just last year.
However primary pupils were urged not to take phones to school with them.
Pupils were instead reminded of “responsible use” when in school buildings.
The SNP has said it will make all Scotland’s classrooms phone free, though with the “flexibility” that young people may be allowed their phones “when travelling to and from school”.
Scottish Labour and the Scottish Green party have both also launched their election manifestos this week.
The full list of confirmed Shetland candidates for the election on 7 May, in alphabetical order, are as follows: Alex Armitage (Greens), Douglas Barnett (Conservatives), Vic Currie (Reform UK), John Erskine (Labour), Hannah Mary Goodlad (SNP), Emma Macdonald (Liberal Democrats), Brian Nugent (Alliance to Liberate Scotland), Peter Tait (independent).
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