Candidate Tinkler steps down from Wir Shetland committee
Dentist Ian Tinkler, who is standing for election to Shetland Islands Council next year, has decided to temporarily stand down from the Wir Shetland management committee.
Wir Shetland believes that the Viking Energy project is of such a scale, that it should be subject to the approval of the whole Shetland population.
Mr Tinkler is a very strong opponent of the Viking project and felt that membership of the management committee limited his ability to speak as he wished on the subject.
He says his support for Wir Shetland is “absolute”.
Chairman James Titcomb said: “Likewise, the remaining Wir Shetland committee recognise Ian’s dedication to the cause of autonomy for Shetland and wish him all the best in his electoral campaign.”
Duncan Simpson and Alec Priest are both Wir Shetland members standing for election to the SIC, Mr Simpson being on the committee as membership secretary. Both remain members of Wir Shetland.
Core aims
Mr Titcomb said: “Although Ryan Thompson decided to withdraw his membership of Wir Shetland prior to announcing his candidateship, we understand that Ryan still believes in the core aims of Wir Shetland.
“The committee recognise Ryan’s commitment to obtaining the best deal for Shetland and wish him all the best in the upcoming election.
“Wir Shetland would encourage voters in the Northern Isles to pick Duncan, Alec and Ryan for the council in May.
“Wir Shetland understand there are more members considering announcing their intentions, and would encourage anyone with an interest in autonomy for Shetland and is able to do so to put themselves forward.”
James Titcomb
As Wir Shetland is not a political party, but a campaign group, then all the members who are standing for election are standing as “Independent” councilors. However they are all making their affiliation to Wir Shetland known. Wir Shetland reserve the right to back any candidates for election whether they are members of our organisation or not, all we ask is that they support our core aims as can be found on our web site.
Michael Garriock
Your poll ignores the fact that what you are suggesting is not in fact legal.
Wir Shetland is a campaign group, it is not a registered politcal party. Only registered political parties can legally field candidates, therefore in Wir Shetland’s case you are polling a moot point, and/or suggesting Wir Shetland should consider undertaking an illegal activity. There cannot legally be Wir Shetland candidate(s) regardless of what opinion anyone may have on the subject one way or the other.
Secondly, there is a very long established tradition of allegedly card holding members of the whole spectrum of political parties standing for the SIC and its predecessors as ‘independents’, in fact I am given to understand that some current Councillors are among them.
Why the discrimination against Wir Shetland supporters that they should stand under those colours, when others with alternative affiliation do not. Or are you suggesting that anyone with any affiliation to any group which could be perceived as being in any way “political” should be expected to stand under those colours, and only those colours?
Suzy V Jolly
Shetland Times, re your poll … are you going to be asking all existing SIC councillors and others proposing to stand whether or not they are paid up members of any political party, or are you just singling out Wir Shetland members/supporters?
ian_tinkler
I made a pledge during the 2012 Council election to fight against the Viking project by all legal means. That pledge pre-dated my membership of Wir Shetland.
Wir Shetland’s policy is for a Shetland wide Referendum/ Postal Ballot for or against the Viking Project, the results being binding. As my pledge to the West ward electorate, pre-dated Wir Shetland, in all honour, I would not wish to renege from my previous position and pledges to fight Viking Energy. As such I feel it only equitable to remove myself from the management committee of Wir Shetland, until after the forthcoming election.
I have slightly modified my position however since 2012, as new wind farms are proposed for, Dale of Walls, Beaw Field and Energy Isles, I would accept the results of ballots, but leave the final decision to the people immediately and most affected by individual wind farms. That would be a full monitored ballot of those people, resident or working within two kilometres of any turbine, each wind farm having a separate ballot. That way any new proposal could be matched to the wishes of the local populations.
My support for Wir Shetland is and remains “absolute”.
Shuard Manson
Why so defensive?
i tinkler
I was unaware I was being defensive, that is quite polite compared to most comments about me! Made my day. Thanks, Shuard, one of your more pleasant comments.
haydn Gear
Ffynhonnau go baits tragwyddol Ian !!
i tinkler
Haydn, Nadolig Llawen. A Blithe Yule
Haydn Gear
Thank you Ian, and the same to you !!