SNP targets Shetland and Orkney in local elections
The SNP is to target the Northern Isles in the next local authority elections in an attempt to secure its first councillors on Shetland and Orkney.
It follows a decision to increase the number of candidates in other key areas, such as Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
SNP business convener Derek Mackay, who is also the local government minister, said he hoped for a breakthrough next May following an increase in the party’s national vote at the last Scottish Parliament election.
However, the Northern Isles returned the only two Liberal Democrat constituency MSPs last May, leaving the SNP in third place behind independent candidates.
Orkney and Shetland are unusual, compared with mainland authorities, in having only independent councillors.
Mr Mackay said: “In less than 100 days voters across Scotland have the opportunity to keep up the momentum, bring fresh faces to local government and continue to make Scotland better.”
Referring to the Northern Isles, he added: “The SNP has a presence there with local members and we want to extend to the councils.”
He said details of candidates had not been finalised but that not all wards will be targeted.
Shetland councillor Laura Baisley said she doubts whether political parties will make a breakthrough at the May elections.
The North Isles ward member said: “When people have declared a party allegiance it hasn’t really helped them.
“It seems to be more the people who have local knowledge, or community leaders, that get elected.”
The political future of the islands was highlighted by the Earl of Caithness last week.
He wants a clause added to Westminster legislation to allow Shetland and Orkney to remain part of the UK if Scotland votes for independence in the 2014 referendum.
Mr Mackay dismissed the intervention as a “red herring”.
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Comments
There are 21 comments to this article
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Lachie Mhor
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:21 PM11 Ron Greer An intriguing statement. Do you dress up along the lines of a extra from Braveheart. Do you have any form of coherent policy to ensure that Scotland will not become a domain of our Scandanavian brothers. Do you in fact have any idea what yu are talking about.
Charles P
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:44 PM12 Kon. 3Kons posting Eh? Which is the one who can't spell? The ability to communicate in language readers can understand might help your case, but I doubt it! All three of you seem to produce nothing but spurious drivel.
Hector the Lessor
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 06:20 AMPersonally speaking I would not think that the average Shetlander could care less who ran the islands as long as they could do what they wanted. My only complaint is the continual swooping of the voes for sea trout. I would not even look at fishing for sea trout there. Fifty years ago a different situation altogether. Laxo Voe was recognised as the place to go, but they shoaled all round the island even up at Sullom Voe and every wee inlet with a tidal flow. Paling stabs, five or six kilo fish. Sometimes had to hike over five kilometres to hit the right bay at the right time. Short of putting in a hatchery in one of the sea lochs I cannot see that it will every be as good as in the fities. It is just a matter of encouraging them to see that fishing for sea trout as well as the deep sea fishing they encourage, may be the way to go.
samcoldstream
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 08:39 PMThe Nationalists will find the Orkney and Shetland isles hard nuts to crack. After the discovery of oil, both the Tories and Labour spent considerable party funds on trying to win over the Independent(Liberal) islanders without any success.
Kon
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 05:49 PM16 Ron Greer, my name is not Michael, do you poses the ability to ascertain an anonymous users identity based on telepathy?, dont think you do so shut up you retard.
Ron Greer
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 05:06 PM12 I'm more worried about the multiple cons the Unionists are trying to pull on Scotland. Yes, Michael at 13, it would be better if the Scotsman banned the use of monikers.
Kon
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 04:09 PM14 douglas-home rule, lol, the UK cleared all Scotland's debts when joining the UK in exchange for absolute sovereignty, as the UK is sovereign over the islands then the UK can at will just move boundaries (as they have many many times over the years) or cede territory or annex territory, the Shetlanders and those in Orkney decide themselves what they are doing and there is nothing that the UK or the snp can do about it.
douglas-home rule
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:58 PMThe Northern Isles are of course part of Scotland. Even if our wonderfull southren chums tried to steal them away, there is still a little matter of a dowry to be paid off. With compound interest I dont think England could meet the bill!
Kon
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:48 PM10 George Coutts, Shetland is the richest part of the UK, it wants for nothing has no poverty or pot holes, the oil fun they already have ensures that when the oil is gone the island will still be secure.
Kon
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:46 PM4 Ron Greer, there is at least 3 "Kons" posting here, one of the may joys of the Scotsman is you haven't got a clue who you are chatting with.
Ron Greer
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:31 PM9 I am not a member of the SNP, having left them a few years ago after joining in 1981. I left for a variety of policy and personal reasons: failure to engage in land reform, EU membership, , failure to engage in local government reform and finance, and the total nonsense of their renewables policy. At the personal level I find Alex Salmond's style enragingly arrogant, but he's a skilled political black arts performer. I am now a member of the Scottish Democratic Alliance which favours independence for Scotland outwith the EU, along Swiss or Norwegian lines. I am therefor fully committed to a Yes vote in order to get to the next stage. Unionists will use every 'divide et impera' tactic in the book to prevent Scotland from becoming independent, as they do not wish to lose the massive natural resources has. This includes the marine resources of the Scottish island archipelagoes of Orkney amd Shetland. It is interesting to note that Unionists are not considering giving a referendum result opt out for non- oil producing areas of Scotland. More perfidy from Albion to come though soon, no doubt.
George Coutts
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 02:53 PMShetlander´s must vote for Free Scotland. Time after time Lib Dems get the vote and that means no investment on the Islands. Once free, investment instead of cutbacks from The ConDems will flow in and that means instead of young flying the coop will become tradesmen in thriving communites instead of London cuts that threaten ferry services to decent prospects. So you Viking Shetlanders ,outsiders that really want better vote and be an inclusive lot with a future.
Back To The Future
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 01:35 PM#8 Quite frankly I could not care less about the oil - it is a distraction. I am more interested to establish how Mr Salmond intends to strengthen our society post Independence when all he has done since coming to power is hand out beads to the natives by way of free prescriptions etc. I am also interested to establish how he intends to feed a voracious renewables industry without the support of English consumers
Ron Greer
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:06 PM6 but are you really trying to make it Rump UK oil? What is your room number in the Perfidious Albion Office?
Ron Greer
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:04 PM6 Did Shetland ever function as an independent nation state? It's Pictish oil.
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