General election: updates from Mareel hustings
The BBC Radio Shetland general election hustings was held in Mareel on Monday evening.
Five of the six candidates attended the event, with Brexit Party candidate Robert Smith the only absentee.
A crowd of around 70 people were on hand to grill the candidates, with Radio Shetland host Daniel Lawson giving each candidate an opening minute to introduce themselves and their policies.
Anti-monarchy candidate David Barnard went first, saying that the recent events involving Prince Andrew had raised “serious questions” about the monarchy, and finished by saying that: “A monarchy has no place in Britain in 2019”.
Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael said there were three big issues in this election – Brexit, climate change and a second Scottish independence referendum.
“Climate change should be at the heart of our political debate,” Mr Carmichael said, before adding that “we can’t delay any further” to make the issue a priority.
Labour’s Coilla Drake said she was an “ordinary person” who also wanted to concentrate on climate change, as well as funding for the NHS. She followed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s position, stating she would like to see a new Brexit deal negotiated with the EU and put to the British people in a referendum, with no Brexit the other option.
Jennifer Fairbairn, the Conservative candidate, said her priority was to “uphold democracy” and to see Brexit through “as soon as possible”.
The SNP’s Robert Leslie said that Orkney and Shetland had not voted for Brexit yet “we could suffer most” from the country leaving the EU. He added he would like to remain in the EU and help reform it from within as part of an independent Scotland.
The Brexit Party’s Robert Smith did not attend, but his stance of a ‘clean-break Brexit’ with a free trade deal with the EU was announced to the room.
Unsurprisingly, Brexit proved the hottest topic of the evening with several questions based around that subject.
Ms Fairbairn, the Conservative candidate, surprised most in attendance by repeatedly going against party policy – firstly by saying she supported the actions of Gina Miller, who took the Conservative government to court over Brexit, because she was “upholding democracy” and secondly by saying that the government’s ‘settled status’ scheme for EU citizens needed a “total overhaul”.
More in this Friday’s edition of The Shetland Times.
Ali Inkster
So it would seem the only candidate willing to represent the more than nine and a half thousand brexit voters in Orkney and Shetland is working fisherman Robert Smith of the Brexit party. It would seem Boris promise that all tories elected in this election would back his brexit plan was a bit of the mark. Or maybe it shows that his brexit plan is not brexit at all if their candidate For the isles is willing to back it.
John Thomas
Good to see that the Brexit Party is not drawn into this level of debate. I am sure Robert Smith was absent because he was busy getting Brexit Done. Too right that a clean-break Brexit is what we need. Like was said before, a free trade deal will be the “easiest in human history”. Wise words from Liam Fox, and still yet to be disproved by the ‘facts’.
John Tulloch
Robert Leslie, SNP, is obviously unaware of the impact of independence.
The EU has stated repeatedly that (even if Britain remains), we (Scotland) will be automatically out of the EU on Independence Day – with “No Deal”.
“When part of the territory of a Member State ceases to be a part of that State, e.g. because that territory becomes an independent state, the treaties will no longer apply ”
Westminster will no longer fund our “notional budget deficit”. It will become real. Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish Growth Commission proposed a multi-year plan to reduce it to EU-acceptable levels.
We must also have our own, independent central bank and therefore, our own currency. That will take nine years (Commonweal think tank) and will require tens of billions in foreign reserves.
If Britain ‘remains’ there would be a “hard UK border” with EU tariffs (63% of trade). Negotiations will be with Brussels, not Westminster.
It will take at least 10 years, with austerity, to rejoin.
And if/when we do we shall join the euro and pass control of our economy/trade and fishing/agriculture to the EU.
SNP EU/Brexit policy is nonsense. Scots are shrewd people and will not buy it.
https://www.parliament.scot/S4_EuropeanandExternalRelationsCommittee/Inquiries/Letter_from_Viviane_Reding_Vice_President_of_the_European_Commission_dated_20_March_2014__pdf.pdf
Robert Smith
No, I was absent because I was at sea.
Peter Hamilton
…with Rees-Mogg hiding below decks?
Robert Smith
I think she was campaigning in the SW of England.
Jim Gilbert
Not surprising. The Brexit party are all at sea.
Peter Hamilton
Troubled waters for Brexit Party. 3 MEPs have just quit to back Boris’s deal. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50672611
John Scott
At least you were at sea doing an honest days work Robert, unlike the other candidates.
Nobody will know more about the negative effects of European Union membership than you!
Brian Smith
I’m a bit baffled. I read tonight that Jo Swinson has apologised that she and her Lib Dems backed the Tories’ austerity policies. But last night I saw Willie Rennie backing those policies to the hilt. What a party.
Malcolm Henry Johnson
Jo was talking about the past. Willie was thinking about the future.
Peter Hamilton
Now 4 have quit, including Rees Mogg. Like what Robert did there though, referring to Jacob’s sister, formerly of the Brexit Party, and no longer campaigning for them in the South East of England.
You’ve got to ask how a spare bedroom tax would impact on that family… including in their second and third homes and any additional properties in their portfolios.
Malcolm Henry Johnson
.
WHY SOCIALIST SNP MEMBERS SHOULD VOTE LABOUR TOMORROW:
For the first time in forty years and possibly for the last time during my life, we have the chance to support a manifesto that includes widespread nationalisation and the restoration of worker’s rights. These are policies that any self-respecting socialist would have regarded as red lines before Thatcher came along and “modernised” British politics.
After Brexit and Scottish independence, we will return to the natural battle between left and right. It will even take place within the SNP itself, once the phoney pre-independence “party of national unity” approach falls apart. During these debates, the left will highlight support for Corbyn’s radical policies as evidence that these are still relevant and can still win votes. Meanwhile, the right will highlight the lack of support for Labour as evidence that strong unions and public ownership are no longer winning policies and should be abandoned forever.
If you can’t use your vote to get your candidate elected tomorrow, at lease use it to make a statement. The ideas behind Labour’s bold policies need to be kept alive. They will be as relevant in an independent Scotland as they will anywhere else.
Johan Adamson
Absolutely.
Ian TInkler
Absolutely not, Johan. I am old enough to remember the Winter of Discontent. Comrade Corbyn, Comrade Scargill. First Secretary Sturgeon! Reach for the rusty tin, self-castration before I would vote Socialist or Nationalist.
Johan Adamson
I am almost old enough to remember the 1970s also. I went missing from hom when I wis about 7, because I was busy helping a couple of older folk collect fire wood in the absence of coal during the Tories 3 day week I think. We are not going back to the 1970s, with what we know now we can run things much better under Corbyn.
Mr ian Tinkler
The absence of coal was due to Socialist and life long Soviet supporter Mick McGahey’s miners strike. Hardly down to the Tories. Just the Unions holding the country to ransom. Thank God the Maggie neutered that bunch.
Peter Hamilton
It’s almost like you are saying Shetland needs a vocal and united local Labour Party willing to take a stand on environmental and equality issues and prepared to ensure people’s concerns are properly considered. Will the local branch make a start to rebuilding by considering whether it isn’t time to call an end to Sullom Voe?
Johan Adamson
Yes, it would be good if members stopped voting for other parties
Malcolm Henry Johnson
It’s almost like you are trying to change the subject. Which of the parties that plan to close Sullom Voe did you vote for?
John Tulloch
It’s important that unions be strong but not omnipotent, as in the 1970s when many major industries were still nationalised. We meed balance.
Combining the two is all very fine for those who, like me, benefited from working in the public sector however it leads to a two-tier workforce, with those in the private sector footing the bill, in taxes or high product prices, for the privileged ones in the public sector.
That also hits private sector pay as employers must maintain viability with their increased costs.
Having said that, re-nationalisation of electricity would be hilariously apt because government would become directly accountable to taxpayers and/or bill-payers for the soaring costs of energy arising from “decarbonisation”, associated with the lunacy of unilateral “declarations of climate emergency” and policies like Labour’s “net zero 2030”.
The IPCC does not call for that and condemns unilateral action as being unhelpful in achieving international agreement.
ian Tinkler
I remember the three-day week. It was a result of Gormly/Michael McGahey, Striking miners starving the country of coal and forcing people to scavenge for heating. As a result, the unions started to run the Labour party and that was what killed Socialism for a generation. Thatcher and the tories were empowered and the unions lost all credibility. Labour was discredited and lost and lost again.
I voted for Blair when sanity prevailed, now Corbyn takes us all back, well he is trying to, but the result empowers Boris!!! (history repeating!!!??)
Ian TInkler
“now Corbyn takes us all back, well he is trying to, but the result empowers Boris!!! (history repeating!!!??)”. How right those words proved to be!!
Ten years of austerity under the Tories! and Corbyn, Momentum and Socialism empower Boris!!! and his new tories. For a generation?
So now we have a Boris / Sturgeon catfight. Interesting times ahead, perhaps an Independent Shetland is the way forward, history repeating.
Malcolm Henry Johnson
When Boris replies to the letter requesting an independence referendum for Shetland, I hope the recipient will share it on this forum. We could all do with a laugh.
George Pottinger
Don’t make us laugh Ian ( Independent Shetland ) I wouldn’t trust this council to run a bath never mind having full autonomy of all the finances!
Are you going to be King Ian?
ian tinkler
Just a jest, George, but many a true word! If Sturgeon goes Indy2 I would rather stay with the UK or go for autonomy. (Most of Shetland voted Liberal not out of love for Carmichael but just to keep out the SNP). Think about it.
Peter Hamilton
Agreed Johan, and Labour has had my vote this time, but when there is a chance of turffing out an austerity backing LibDem…
The main thing is people are being offered a chance to take back control of the vital services they depend on that should never have been privatised in the first place. New management systems will mean these can in future serve the people rather than serving corporate greed. Whether we get there this election or not, Corbin’s bold ideas have reignited the debate and energised thousands more activists than the Tories have active members.
Hope remains for a fairer society in which the economy works for the good of the people as well as the environment they depend on. The LibDems on the other hand remain forever compromised between the freedom of business to exploit people and the freedom of people not to be exploited.
Some wonderful handwringing from Carmichael on Viking Energy this election. Well done for your stand there and on UHA. Particularly pleasing to see Friends of the Earth saying Labour’s manifesto was better for the environment than that of the Greens.
Ian TInkler
O dear, poor Peter. On the wrong side again.
ian tinkler
“Labour’s worst performance since 1935”. “Corbin’s bold ideas have reignited the debate and energised thousands more activists than the Tories have active members.” What the Socialist left did for Labour, just imagine what the would do to the UK and shudder!!! Momentum (thousands more activists) are the new Militant Tendency, no wonder they are heading to the dust bin of history.
Peter Hamilton
No, I am agreeing with you Malcolm, and also saying there is a conversation to be had locally about how long Shetland should continue to host the oil industry.
The biggest benefit would have been in stable local employment, but that is not what we have seen. If the oil industry honours its original promises there will be years of work in returning the terminal site to nature. Some will say the sooner that begins the better. If that thinking can’t happen on the left where else will it happen?
Peter Hamilton
Apparently 52% voted for political parties that wanted a second Brexit referendum, but now we’ve got the blues. What hope now for the 1 in 5 bairns born into poverty?
ian Tinkler
Thank goodness we avoided Corbyn’s, Socialism Peter. Look to Socialism in Venasuallia what that would do for us. That whole country is in poverty.
Ali Inkster
Over 2 million scots voted to remain in the uk nowhere near that amount of scots voted to remain in the eu or for the snp. What is it about democracy you don’t understand? You seem to think you just change the question to suit the answer you claim to have got to a question that was never asked. And then have the gall to say that brexiteers didn’t know what they were voting for.
ian Tinkler
Think about this George. If two years ago I had said Boris would be PM with a landslide every one would have laughed. The phrase is “He who has the last laugh”, Ho, Ho, Ho. Now everyone calm down. The die is cast for Brexit, at last.
Peter Hamilton
Not that long ago the Tories and LibDems opposed the minimum wage, so it will be interesting to see which of Labour’s bold ideas become mainstream next.