Infuriated by neutrality (Roddy Nicolson)
This is the only time that I can remember Shetland having a choice of an independent of credibility for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary election, and before that, any general election.
Tavish Scott has done some good for Shetland, particularly when he was the transport minister. However, in this past parliament he has been as much use to Shetland as an ashtray on a motorbike, no doubt distracted by national matters since being elected as the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
His “neutrality” stance over the Viking Energy windfarm project I have found particularly infuriating. The Shetland community has torn itself apart over this issue, and Tavish has stood idly by and done nothing.
He did make a pathetic appeal for a referendum just as the matter was entering “injury time”. He could have put pressure on many organisations years earlier, not least Viking Energy itself, to hold a proper referendum. The Electoral Reform Society could have overseen that this was fair and impartial.
This would have decided the matter one way or another, and saved much grief for the Shetland community, as well as much money and effort spent on “propaganda”.
The other three candidates, or rather their parties, have nothing to offer Shetland.
I urge the Shetland community to vote for Billy Fox. This may be a once in a lifetime chance to obtain a truly independent MSP for Shetland. His view of the Viking Energy windfarm project is well known, and I absolutely support anyone who may be able to stop this iniquity from happening to Shetland; which despite vested interests claiming the contrary, I believe the substantial majority of the people of Shetland oppose.
But he is not just a one-issue candidate. He holds many more views that are in Shetland’s interests, and if elected he will be able to pursue these issues in the Scottish Parliament free from any party interests or interference.
Roddy Nicolson
Mervue,
Aith.
Peter Marwick
“I absolutely support anyone who may be able to stop this iniquity from happening to Shetland.”
This worries me a bit about Billy Fox’s campaign. If he were to be elected, would he make representations to the Scottish Parliament with regard to the windfarm? Bearing in mind that he is courting the pro- and anti-windfarm vote, and has stated he does not see this election as a referendum on the windfarm, he has absolutely no basis to ‘represent’ Shetlanders by pushing his own personal views. I’m sure some of those he is asking to vote for him would like assurances from Mr Fox that – if elected – he would not pursue his anti-windfarm agenda in Parliament without proven (and I mean proven) majority opposition. I don’t include myself in that, as I have no vote in Shetland so have no right to ask Mr Fox what he would or wouldn’t do.
“which despite vested interests claiming the contrary, I believe the substantial majority of the people of Shetland oppose.”
Is it only people with vested interests who believe this? Really? That’s a very poor attempt at discrediting people who hold a different view to yourself, shame on you.