Better Together chairman Darling to launch Shetland campaign
Better Together chairman Alistair Darling will be in Shetland at the weekend to launch the local group campaigning for Scotland to remain within the United Kingdom.
Mr Darling will speak at the public launch of Better Together Shetland at Lerwick Town Hall at 1pm on Saturday.
The meeting will be a chance for local people to find out how they can get involved in the campaign, and raise questions on the ways independence would affect them and their families.
Better Together is launching local campaign groups across Scotland ahead of September 2014’s referendum, with Better Together Shetland being led by local people.
Mr Darling said: “Like the majority across Scotland, people in Shetland strongly support Scotland remaining part of the UK. Working together and pooling our resources across the whole of the British Isles means we can share the benefits and spread the burdens.
“I look forward to making a positive case for Scotland staying in the UK and hearing from local people in Shetland.”
Maurice Mullay of Better Together Shetland said: “We’re really looking forward to the official launch of Better Together Shetland. We know there is strong local support for our campaign and, even prior to the official launch, we’ve had a really positive response.
“However, we’re certainly not being complacent. We need everyone in Shetland who wants Scotland to stay within the United Kingdom to get involved in the campaign, and the launch event is a great way to learn how to do that.”
National organiser Rob Murray added: “The response we have already been getting from Shetland has been fantastic; so many local people have expressed their support and wish to remain in the UK.
“This launch is a chance for local people to get involved in the campaign for a strong Scotland in the UK, regardless of campaigning experience, and to come along and get the facts on independence.”
The following video has been produced by the Better Together campaign. Is the campaign right to say being in the United Kingdom gives us “the best of both worlds? Leave your comments below.
Brian Smith
This is the character who got a standing ovation at the Tory Party conference, speaking on this subject. Best avoided.
Joe Johnson
I’m a proud Scotsman and I believe Scotland would be better in the U.K. I really don’t believe the SNP have really thought this through about how Independence will affect Scotland. I’m not convinced at all that Independence would be good for Scotland. I agree we are better together.
Sandy McDonald
Hopefully he’ll be mistaken for a badger…
John Tulloch
As a former Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer who by all accounts has received a standing ovation at the Tory Party conference, Mr Darling is an extremely influential person at Westminster who could both advise the SIC on how to go about being reimbursed for their 1970s housing debt incurred at the then Labour government’s request and use his considerable political influence to help the campaign.
Perhaps he’ll sign the Shetland Times petition and call for others to do the same as Jean Urquhart MSP and Scott Miller from the “YES” campaign have done (you did actually sign it, didn’t you, Scott?)?
Edward Barbour
So what will comical ali be peddling? Most likely more scare stories of how Scotland cant do this or that, or cant afford , or we are too small.
Hopefully people will not be taken in with such rot.
Scotland currently contributes more to London (without the oil) than it gets back. Now London want to cut back on this pocket money.
We really will have a better and positive future ending the political union that is the UK. Investment is increasing into Scotland, despite the Better Together Scare stories. I don’t want jam tomorrow, I want us to play our part in the world as an independent country
John Tulloch
Will “Better Together” and Mr Darling support the campaign to write off the SIC’s £40m 1970s oil boom housing debt -incurred at the request of the then Labour government – and sign the petition as “YES Shetland” have done?