Vote for who you want (Robina Barton)
I gather the Liberal Democrats are circulating “hand-written” letters from Tavish Scott asking Labour and Tory voters to vote Lib Dem to keep out the SNP.
I think tactical voting is all wrong. We should vote to make the change we want, not to prevent change we don’t want.
If you want SNP, Labour or (dare I say it) Conservative then that’s the way you should vote. Then the end result is a true representation of the will of the people.
I want to build up the Labour vote in Shetland again. I believe Labour are the party who can do most to address the problems Scotland faces after nine years of SNP rule – the attainment gap in our classrooms, the pressures on our NHS, the housing crisis.
They have a fair scheme of taxation to support their plans, which will raise £1.2 billion for investment in public services (about four times as much as the SNP will raise).
I also believe that Labour is the party that can do most to thwart the Tories in Westminster, and I personally hope it will be under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
Finally, I think that I have the energy, enthusiasm, and life experience to do a good job representing Shetland in the Scottish Parliament.
So vote for who you want on 5th May (but remember, responsibility doesn’t end at the ballot box).
Robina Barton
Shetland Labour candidate
Birka,
Bressay.
Robert Wishart
I agree with Robina. Vote for who you want; especially if it keeps the nationalists out.
Robin Stevenson
Erm…How does that work exactly Robert?
“Vote for who you want; especially if it keeps the nationalists out”.
I’ll be voting SNP X2 which is, as you say is “voting for who I’d want?”..Just seems a bit of a contradiction from your statement imo?
The voting system in Scotland was specifically designed to make sure that there’d never be a SNP majority government, which as we now know, thankfully, didn’t quite work out to plan. Tactical voting is a nonsense with the current Additional Member System (AMS), anyone that thinks they can [somehow] beat the system are kidding themselves on.
Robina is absolutely correct to suggest that people should vote for ‘who they want’, and highlights [once again] the levels that the Lib/Dems would stoop to by asking people to sell out their own political beliefs in order to retain power for themselves.
iantinkler
Robin Stevenson, if it takes a tactical vote to keep out a party (Nationalist) whom regard all who do not suport the narrow and divisive agenda, as “Turncoats, Traitors, Quislings and the like”, so be it. Tory and labour stand no chance, Tavish Scott does. Dannus, Nicola’s performing puppet, is not for me. I will vote for the less obnoxious.
Robin Stevenson
I have to say Ian, newspaper headlines/articles – along with your own language – are becoming increasing laughable as we approach Thursday. The desperate and hysterical attempt to paint the SNP and their voters as some kind of evil incarnate cultists, are merely adding to the ridiculous stance that our MSM [and those that are daft enough to believe them] have taken.
I’m quite sure Tavish will breath a sigh of relief knowing that you regard him as…erm…’less obnoxious’. that the rest. 🙂
Gordon Harmer
I would vote for Donald Trump if it kept the nationalists out, because a third world war would have a less devastating affect on Scotland and Shetland than five more years of SNP mismanagement.
iantinkler
Robin Stevenson, enjoy your laugh! Your words “ridiculous stance that our MSM [and those that are daft enough to believe them] have taken”. So now you claim all the mainstream media, the free press, the BBC and independent Radio are all wrong and out to get the Nats and the SNP. Even at SNP party conference the BBC is derided as worse than Nazi propaganda under Goebbels. Such an irrational and unpleasant views you so express and endorse. Further to that, all who believe the free media are just “daft”, your words, Robin. All who are for the Union are “turncoats”, again your words? SNP Officers, Candidates and Conveners words, all non-Nationalists are, Quislings, Traitors, Drunkards, and Senile etc. They express so well the Nasty part of the letters SNP, it is called Nationalism and what a wonderful example of just what nationalism does to people and rational opinion you highlight, Robin.
Robin Stevenson
“So now you claim all the mainstream media, the free press, the BBC and independent Radio are all wrong and out to get the Nats and the SNP”.
Not at all Ian, just the 97% of our MSM that are utterly biased and are equally as desperate to condemn the SNP Scottish government/MPs/MSPs and their voters as you, Labour/Tory/Lib Dems and your chums are.
If you amazingly perceive that the 3% remainder which are in favour of the SNP and pro-independence, is in someway ‘fair unbiased journalism’ in comparison with the 97% pro-union, then I stand to be corrected by your bizarre logic?
Gordon
“A third world war would have a less devastating affect on Scotland and Shetland than five more years of SNP mismanagement”…Really?…Perhaps you could tell us how many died in the first 2?…I’ve heard some really daft comments since Sept 2014, but that’s got to be up there one of the most ridiculous.
Brian Smith
I didn’t notice this contribution the first time round (below), but it deserves a second outing – as the strangest ever to have appeared on this site. The Wir Shetland philosophy in a single sentence …
‘Gordon Harmer
‘May 4th, 2016 5:50
‘I would vote for Donald Trump if it kept the nationalists out, because a third world war would have a less devastating affect on Scotland and Shetland than five more years of SNP mismanagement.’
Brian Smith
It’s been a bad night for the Wir Shetland boys. A big ‘Scoti’ victory in Shetland, Ali, and, Gordon, something worse than World War 3 imminent in Edinburgh.
John Tulloch
Brian, I wid coonsel against takkin dis historic stuff ower seriously, especially, da Stane Age recipes made fae hill mushrooms for dy brakkfeast! 🙂
Bill Adams
An interesting comment from the Proprietor of “The Shetland Times”, who of course is perfectly entitled to his own opinions.
iantinkler
“I personally hope it will be under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.” Robina, I would not hold your breath if I were you. Vote for Corbyn and you will really be wasting your vote, sorry Robina, absolutely never in one million years. not even Corbyn knows what he stands for, or dares not say!!!
John Tulloch
If it is a “true representation of the will of the people” that they do not wish the SNP to win the Shetland constituency then they will vote accordingly – for Tavish Scott.
Johan Adamson
I think you forgot to mention the increased centralisation, the obsession with wind turbines and high transport costs we have under an SNP government with a Liberal MSP and MP, all threatening our way of life here. We will all have to move to the central belt as our children have less chance of a decent job here now, and we might have to live on a wind farm. We cant even attract tourists as costs to get here are prohibitive (and they won’t come to look at a the turbines). Labour, Liberal and the SNP have to address these issues to have any chance of helping us. On balance though, I think I will vote SNP and then Stockan as the only way to get more power to our case here, although I wish Robina and Jeremy Corbyn every success nationally.
Ali Inkster
So you are quite happy with the high transport costs (up for Orkney and Shetland, down for the Western Isles under the snp) the windmills and centralisation, because by voting snp you will be giving them the green light for more of the same.
Johan Adamson
Don’t see much of a choice, Tavish is powerless to help
John Tulloch
No Johan, it is Skene would be “powerless to help'” because he will have to do what he is told and won’t be allowed to speak out publicly against what his SNP bosses will be doing.
Tavish is not under the SNP party whip and can speak and campaign publicly as he so wishes.
Robin Stevenson
No John, Johan is spot on, which is exactly what’s been said to you for months. It’s really not rocket science if you just start listening to people?…/sigh
Robert Sim
John, talking of speaking out fearlessly, maybe you can tell us why, in last week’s print edition of the Shetland Times, there was not a single word in Tavish Scott’s election statement about either increased powers for Shetland nor for that matter Wir Shetland, whereas Danus Skene’s statement included the following: “Our islands need to determine what autonomy we want and work with an SNP government to get it”? Maybe you have backed the wrong horse?
Johan Adamson
So why John has he not been able to tackle the issues we face as above?
Bill Adams
The fact of the matter, Mr Tulloch, is that it would be Tavish Scott who would be powerless to implement anything as he would be outwith the Government who are the only people with the power to implement changes. All Tavish does is posture and snipe impotently from the sidelines. “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” to quote Will Shakespeare.
How are the flowers coming along in your potting-shed in Arrochar ?
John Tulloch
The fact of the matter, Mr Adams, is that you have joined the throng of SNP Shetland activists celebrating the vindictiveness of the SNP in government. Bragging about their corrupt abuse of power by denying fair treatment to areas whose people vote for someone other than the SNP.
I find that repugnant.
Ian Tinkler
Bill Adams, are you seriously suggesting all those outwith the government are powerless to do more than snipe and posture. Following that logic you, Johan, Robin and Robert Sim advise us all that we thus should only vote Nationalist. Well there is a word for abandoning any opposition and having an unopposed one party state. Totalitarianism springs to mind, nice to know exactly where you are coming from.
David Spence
All of the parties seem to be promising ‘ Lower Fares for Lifeline Services ‘ but the political parties did not object to the ‘ private company Serco ‘ slashing 15% off the islanders allowance, and increasing other charges related to travelling on the boat.
Why is it that the fares on the N/W of Scotland to the Hebrides (and other islands) are so much cheaper?
Why is it that it is the private company Serco (and I do believe there is a connection between the Tories and Serco) is dictating to the SNP on how to provide services when they, Serco, have no experience in this industry? It seems as if Serco, are laughing all the way to the bank, and taking the **** out of the SNP???
All the political parties are singing the same song, but one doubts if such a song will indeed be heard by the people of Shetland and Orkney…………….the same old same……as the say.
iantinkler
Johan Adamson, so you will vote SNP, the very party who have so damaged Shetland and so divided Scotland. The logic behind that being if empowered in Shetland they, the SNP, may help us, rather than continue to exploit us. That type of appeasement we have seen in the past, there is a word for it but I will leave you to work that one out for yourself. I just hope and believe the majority of voters have more courage and moral backbone than to follow your reasoning.
Gordon Harmer
We are doomed Mr Mainwaring, doomed I say. With David and Johan’s logic there is little hope for Shetland. How David can claim that giving the ferry contract has anything to do with the Tories totally baffle’s me. Or how Johan can vote for a party who will turn Shetland into the worlds largest wind farm once they realise the potential from the Viking wind farm is mind blowing.
So I have to admit the SNP are better at brainwashing than I ever thought possible.
Johan Adamson
But Gordon, none of the others have done anything about the Turbines. They have all just sat on the fence. What have the Lib dems done to prevent any of this?
Anyone with bairns in the isles has to face the prospect of educating them well to never return. Its very sad.
Gordon Harmer
Johan, I understand where you are coming from but the SNP are the only party with a policy of 100% green energy by 2020. If Viking goes ahead it will be the most efficient wind farm in the world, the SNP will latch onto that and build them everywhere in Shetland and unlike Viking the rest of the wind farms will not contribute to Shetland financially. Yes the other parties have green objectives but not as draconian as the SNP who if given a mandate will rule Scotland like it was a one party state, totalitarianism in fact and any objectors will be ignored. Just to make a point, one of the most vociferous objectors to wind farms was Douglas Young, now look at him, he has written letters stating that the SNPs green energy policy is great for Scotland and Shetland. There has to be something wrong to make him do a 90% turn and in my book what is wrong is nationalism and all that goes with it, our past has proved this. Good luck with your dilemma.
Johan Adamson
I don’t think they are as totalitarian as you think, but there is obviously a worry that total domination will lead to corruption. Maybe Douglas Young (and others) think they can work from within to change policy, I don’t know. Maybe the urge for independence trumps the wanton destruction of vast amounts of Scottish scenery? I think they will catch on that the whole policy is unwise (I hope so). And I might give Tavish another chance, I don’t know yet, even at this late stage. I quite like Mike MacKenzie, he was really helpful to the Campaign against School closure.
Gordon Harmer
Johan, I found this on facebook this morning, it kind of says it all.
Aith Action Group
3 May at 21:47 ·
TWO KEY PRE ELECTION QUESTIONS
We sent two key questions to each of the 4 constituency candidates & 2 of the list candidates
Five out of the six candidates replied as follows
Q1. Do you support the campaign to continue S1 – S4 secondary education in Aith, Sandwick, Unst, Whalsay & Yell ?
Replies in alphabetical order :-
Robina Barnton – YES ,
Tavish Scott –- YES
Danus Skene – NO REPLY
Cameron Smith – YES
MSP – list candidates
Mike McKenzie – YES
James Stockan – YES
Q2. A five year moratorium will be recommended in the consultation reports for Yell & Whalsay. Will you support a motion to include Aith, Sandwick & Unst in any five year moratorium granted?
Robina Barnton – YES
Tavish Scott – YES
Danus Skene – NO REPLY
Cameron Smith – YES
MSP list
Mike McKenzie – YES
James Stockan – support retention
ROBERT SIM
Do you understand, Gordon – and if you don’t, hopefully you will now – that the last SNP Government brought in legislation to make it almost impossible to close Shetland schools – since they are technically all “rural” under the meaning of the legislation? Go and read up on it.
John Tulloch
Which issues are you thinking Tavish hasn’t been tackling, Johan? I see plenty being tackled with gusto, reflected if I may say, in Tavish’s energetic campaign in which he has been canvassing support all over Shetland. Not sure what the other candidates have been doing?
NHS Shetland funding and other issues last year, this year ferry fares and broadband provision plus others.
Danus Skene has contacts in the SNP and we have two regional MSPs, Mike Mackenzie and Jean Urquhart. Mackenzie is the SNP’s “H&I enforcer” and Urquhart is ex-SNP, pro-nationalist. Surely, they must have some influence?
What have THEY been doing about “the issues we face as above”?
I will tell you. Zilch.
Johan Adamson
John, I have outlined the issues above, high transport costs and wind turbines which do and will cause depopulation, and centralisation of all, meaning nothing being done about the brain drain, quite the reverse. But has Tavish stood up for the islands way of life? I am genuinely interested. Has he been a part of campaigning for fixed links to Bressay and other islands, to help them? Has he stood against VE? Have we got cheap transport for families whether from here or are tourists? – no.
And on the issue of campaigning – where are the other leaders? Have I missed Willie and Kezias visits? At least Nicola has been here. If she liked the look of it, and maybe appreciates a bit of fiddle playing, maybe she will help us encourage tourism by reducing fares and stopping VE.
Johan Adamson
Maybe the other Leaders found it too expensive to include Shetland on their campaign trails?
Johan Adamson
The thing about encouraging the brain drain is that they will not only leave the highlands and islands, they will leave Scotland, as there is nothing tying them to a place. We are losing teachers daily to work overseas. And why not? Maybe its healthy to move and see a bit of life, but you also want to encourage folk to stay or come back to keep a vibrancy here too.
Johan Adamson
Its a bit wrong that you can get across the Firth of Forth for nothing but will pay to ge to Bressay.
Douglas Young
The peerie angry men are out of their box, and so easy tae wind up, Wir Shetland has split Tavish’s vote in twa by being aginst the EU and he’s fur it.
Added a lot o humour tae the election, hope they’re aroond long enough tae pit up a candidate o their own we can question
John Tulloch
You said that before, Douglas, on Shetland News Facebook page and I offered to go on Radio Shetland with you next time I was home and you could ask me anything you wanted and then I would get to ask you anything I wanted.
You didn’t take up my offer.