No time for a novice (Theo/Elinor Nicolson)

Shetland is at its most powerful as a community when it is united as it has been most recently over the threat to the coastguard station – a campaign where Tavish Scott has given leadership and spoken for the whole community.

As the recent Shetland Times poll showed, Shetland is split over whether Viking Energy should go ahead or not. Our MSP’s job in that case should be to ensure that everyone gets their say before the minister makes his or her decision.

Everyone knows that the next Scottish government will have less money to play with. We must not allow this to be an excuse for Labour or SNP ministers to centralise all our public services in the name of saving money – not least because centralisation always ends up being more expensive. The proposed creation of a single Scottish police force is probably the best example of that.

More than ever, Shetland needs a strong and respected known voice to argue its corner in the next parliament. We have had one for the last 12 years in Tavish Scott. His established experience has been welcomed in dealing with the difficulties relating to Shetland’s travel and freight issues. We do not want to see that changing. This is no time for a novice.

Theo and Elinor Nicolson
North Road,
Lerwick.