Sad case (Billy Fox)

Some folk may have noticed what can only be described as a rather sad article in this weekend’s Scotland on Sunday.

I’m not sure if Tavish Scott is making a pitch here for the Jeremy Kyle Show or if this is going to pass for his political memoirs.

One thing is for sure, during the election, while the “anti-windfarm campaigner masquerading as an independent candidate” spoke on all the big issues affecting Shetland, there was indeed a single issue candidate – Tavish and his political career.

On the back of a disastrous election for everyone but the nationalists, Iain Gray and Annabelle Goldie resigned in a timely fashion to allow a responsible leadership transition. Not so Tavish; he resigned with immediate effect.

Strong speculation in Edinburgh at the time was that by doing so he could place himself in the running for Presiding Officer. This would have meant taking up an impartial role in parliament and spending virtually no time in his constituency.

A term as Presiding Officer on the back of his party leadership role, albeit a short and disastrous one, could possibly have led to a seat in the House of Lords. However, further speculation was that feelers sent out to gauge opinion produced such negative feedback he decided to save himself further embarrassment.

So I ask you again, as I did in May, is he really the man for Shetland?

Billy Fox
Anti-Viking Energy campaigner
(among other issues)
Quarff,
Shetland.