Reform UK set to put candidates forward to become Shetland councillors
REFORM UK says it will put forward candidates to become councillors in Shetland next year.
The party is aiming to have candidates standing in every region of Scotland at the 2027 local government elections, and had already signalled its intent to stand in Orkney.
A spokesperson for Reform confirmed to Shetland News that they intend to have people standing for the council chamber in Shetland in May 2027.
It said that the nationwide move would ensure “voters in every part of the country have the opportunity to vote for real change”.
“For too long, communities have been taken for granted by the political establishment,” Reform UK said.
“We are building a nationwide campaign that will give people the chance to elect councillors who will stand up for local communities, deliver value for taxpayers and provide the strong, accountable representation that Scotland deserves.”
Just two of Shetland’s current crop of councillors represent a political party in the council chamber, the majority of elected members are sitting as independent.
Alex Armitage represents the Scottish Green Party, while Robbie McGregor represents the SNP, both in the Shetland South ward.
Reform’s announcement comes after the party won two list seats for the Highlands and Islands region at May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, with Max Bannerman and Vic Currie both elected as list MSPs.
Currie was fourth in the constituency vote for the Shetland MSP seat, finishing with 725 votes behind Alex Armitage (Greens), Emma Macdonald (Liberal Democrats) and eventual winner Hannah Mary Goodlad (SNP).
He did earn more votes than candidates in the Scottish Conservative and Labour parties, however.
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Reform earned 14.1 per cent of the Highlands and Islands regional vote share, with 28,276 votes for the party overall.
The SNP and Scottish Greens were also approached about standing candidates in the local government elections, but did not respond. However, it is known that both parties are in the process of identifying candidates for the May 2027 local elections.
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