Fairer fuel prices (Ian Perry)

We all love having a good moan about the high price of living in Shetland.

Over many years I have read coverage in The Shetland Times and had countless discussions with folk about the pump prices for petrol and diesel. It is a topic of conversation almost as popular in the isles as the weather.

I recall the Office of Fair Trading being involved, our MSPs and MP all looking for openness and fairness on pump prices with denials of any wrong-doing from the fuel wholesalers. A well known campaigner when running Tagon Stores did a lot to highlight the problem.

I also recall the disappointment of many when the government fuel discount subsidy still left a yawning gap between prices in Shetland and those on the mainland.

So when I set off on a journey south last week I followed the usual pattern and left Shetland with as little fuel in my tank as possible.

However, I was surprised to see that mainland prices were identical. Not just in Aberdeen but also right down the road and into Englandshire.

Our politicians get a lot of flack and criticism, sometimes rightly so. But I would say this is an example of them successfully working for us and achieving a fair outcome for people in Shetland.

I can only hope that the current campaign “Loganair, Play Fair”, has such an outcome just as successful.

Ian Perry
Moul View,
Eswick,
South Nesting.