Lyall for Holyrood?
Ryan Taylor
Shetland Central councillor Moraig Lyall has joined the Liberal Democrats – and could represent Shetland at Holyrood.
The chairwoman of the council’s environment and transport committee has put her name forward for selection as the party’s candidate in next May’s Scottish elections.
Mrs Lyall has updated her declarations of interest to include her Lib Dem membership.
It comes after Shetland’s current MSP Beatrice Wishart announced in February that she would be standing down at next year’s elections.
“When I joined the council I was very clear that I was a truly independent candidate – that I didn’t have any party affiliation,” said Mrs Lyall, who has been an independent SIC councillor since November 2019.
“But I have today updated my register of interests for the council to say that I am now a member of the Liberal Democrats.
“I have been encouraged to consider the fact there is going to be an opening for a candidate for the next Holyrood elections for the party.
“Having originally been a bit reluctant, I’ve now decided to at least explore the opportunity.
“I’ve joined the party and am going through that process. The party will obviously make the decision and announce who their candidate is later in the year.”
Bob Marsh
Good luck to Mrs. Lyall in pursuit of her political ambitions. She always seemed one of the more alert councillors on the Shetland Islands Council, and within her job function as Chair of the Environment and Transport Committee. With the ongoing challenges therein of Shetland/mainland ferries, inter islands ferries, ZetTrans, Sullom Voe, tunnels etc., her wisdom and contribution to best development of these projects for Shetland, when it necessary for her to stand down, will be missed.
While political party preference is a personal matter, whoever is selected as the local representative of the Liberal Democrat party, based on the past their candidate’s chances of election success would be high. The problem from that is how realistically to help Shetland, with the significant unaddressed problems the islands have after 18 years of disgraceful on multi fronts, devolved SNP government. To initiate positive action, one will need to be either in, or aligned to whichever party is in power. Then in turn the bureaucrats and quangos in Edinburgh can be directed. For now, neither via London or Holyrood, will any power party likely be the Liberal Democrats So sadly further isolation.