Centralising government (James Whitworth)
I see that the Scottish government is cutting funding to Shetland Islands Council by 5.1 per cent, much higher than the norm and where there is evidence on a UK scale that poorer rural regions subsidise richer urban ones.
This is clearly linked with SNP policy that outside the Orkney and Shetland island communities ferries are subsidised to road equivalent tariffs.
The excuse that the services are longer ignores the facts that the Stromness-Scrabster route is shorter than that from Ullapool to Stornoway and that internal service (except the Fair Isle service) are shorter than many of those in the Clyde and all to the Hebrides.
Are the SNP sending a message that unless we vote SNP in the coming election to the Scottish Parliament and in future local elections we will continue to be discriminated as a matter of pork barrel politics?
The SNP are centralising power in the central belt, not only in the police but in NHS Scotland’s dictat to Yell that the new doctor could not hold services outside Mid Yell as the poor and old from Fetlar, Cullivoe and Burravoe can easily get to Mid Yell even if they are carless.
The public transport is known to be as frequent and convenient as in Livingstone where the decision was made by a car-owning manager. This is a centralising SNP government example of its care for Shetland.
If we want the SNP not to exploit Shetland for the central belt as it has claimed Westminster has used Scottish revenues from oil and gas (much of it from Shetland) since the 1980s; we must vote SNP as we alone cannot stop the SNP – so Shetlanders should be exploited for the Scots.
James Whitworth
2 Old School,
Burravoe,
Yell.
Brian Smith
That is a very confusing final paragraph.
iantinkler
For what it is worth, we were forewarned by former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars, that those not loyal to the “Yes” lobby and SNP, would face the proverbial “Day of reckoning”. Ali C had his in court, we poor Shetlanders will have ours by slow strangulation ( Scottish government funding cuts). I fear this is just the beginning, as I have always claimed “Nationalism” is just plain nasty and it is now showing it’s true face. Remember that in the election in May. Vote SNP or face a time of reckoning, vote with courage and show just how strong and determined Shetlanders are to resist the centralising the Scottish ” Nasty ” Party and all it stands for. United to UK or wholly Independent, Shetland deserves better than SNP centralising and punishing dictats.
Ray Purchase
Mr Sillars words taken completely out of context and his power in the party grossly overestimated by Mr Tinkler of course.
Let’s ignore that for the moment though. As nationalism is such a curse I presume you’ll be voting for the UK to stay in the EU in June and, hopefully, become absorbed into one single state? Be good to see you following through.
iantinkler
Mr Sillars words taken completely out of contexts, sure Ray Purchase, just what did he mean by “Day of reckoning”? No doubt fun time for all. Mind you, he had a point about hating the EU. As it stands I hate Nationalism and also imposed Federalism outwith democratic consensus. SNP are only for the EU as a means to an end, yet another excuse for an Indy referendum. Good to see Nicola S and David C see agreeing with each other, another variant on “better together.” lol. Be sure of one thing, the vast majority of Shetlanders would reject a Yes vote if it tied Shetland to the EU outwith the UK.
Ray Purchase
Sorry Ian Tinkler, I shouldn’t have said ‘taken out of context’, I should have said ‘wilfully misrepresented’ because that’s what you did by picking one phrase and bending it for your own ends. Here’s a link to what was actually said http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/day-of-reckoning-post-yes-vote-says-jim-sillars-1-3539754
So do you hate British nationalism and Shetland nationalism? What about other countries? In your opinion should Portugal be begging to become a region of Spain or maybe Denmark a region of Germany? What about the Baltic states? Should they be forced back into the USSR? Do you follow through?
iantinkler
” In your opinion should Portugal be begging to become a region of Spain or maybe Denmark a region of Germany?” All part of the EU, enough said their!! Should they be forced back into the USSR? Do you follow through? You’re a bit behind the times Ray, no such thing as the USSR, however I am sure and expansionist Russia under Putin would love to annex, thank God for NATO and Trident.