All talk but no action?
I was not only frustrated but confused with the statements coming from the council this week in regard to the Scottish Government’s announcement on NHS restructuring.
This newly proposed arrangement would see the responsibilities that come with running an NHS board transferred to the Shetland Islands Council. This means that just like education, the council would be responsible for health provision also.
The confusion for me stems from the hesitancy seen from Shetland Islands Council regarding the matter – the very same council which voted overwhelmingly to explore how Shetland could become more autonomous.
From my point of view, being granted power over local health provision seems to be a huge step in autonomy for Shetland and would be an opportunity to be leapt at for anyone who truly believes in such.
It makes me wonder whether those currently in the council chamber have the drive and confidence to deliver more autonomy for Shetland, or whether current island leadership is all talk but no action.
The people of Shetland not only need more than just words but deserve action. They deserve representatives and leaders who believe in Shetland and her people, who have the confidence and courage to execute the duties of the office they hold.
Most importantly, they need to be prepared to take on the extended responsibility should this proposed model be adopted. What we are largely receiving currently is rhetoric over substance and a continuation of attempts to evade responsibility.
If Shetland is to gain further autonomy in the future (which in the past has been largely popular among the population), how does it help our case if the opportunity comes and our leadership hesitates and tries to look the other way? It makes us look weak, it makes us look unserious and if that is to continue we may never gain the autonomy we crave.
Taking over health provision is a massive undertaking, but true leaders face up to big challenges instead of shrinking from them. If those in the chamber are uneasy or unconfident in delivering the new powers and responsibilities, if they are unable to deliver more than just words that sound good in the run up to an election, then I strongly urge them to begin reconsidering their positions as we approach the May 2027 election.
If they feel unable to carry out the duties of councillor as the responsibility of the office extends, then they should step aside to allow those who are.
Danny C. Parker
Delting
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