Althing decides: The time is right for independence
An Althing debate on the thorny issue of Scottish independence returned a resounding victory in favour of independence on Friday night.
There was not a spare seat in the room for the Althing society’s first debate of 2020, with attendees packing out Islesburgh Community Centre’s room 10 for the clash.
The broad-ranging debate covered issues such as general elections regularly returning Westminster governments which do not align with Scotland’s wishes, the economic realities of an independent Scotland and the uncertainty which independence could bring at a time of Brexit upheaval.
Arguing in favour of the motion were former town councillor Jonathan Wills and Patrick Ross Smith of Nova Innovation. On the other side Johan Adamson and Caroline Henderson, both unsuccessful in the recent council by-elections, argued that the time was not right for independence.
While national opinion polls regularly return results which are close to neck and neck it was something of a rout at Islesburgh.
A show of hands prior to proceedings found that 26 supported the motion, three were opposed and 13 were undecided. After summing up, and following a few late arrivals, the second show of hands found that 35 supported the motion, nine were opposed and three remained undecided.
• For a full report see the next edition of The Shetland Times.
John M Scott
So let me get this right! Shetlanders want to cut constitutional links with their biggest trading partner – England, currently standing at 62%. They also want a hard border stretching from Carlisle to Berwick will full customs and immigration controls. And instead of having central government at Westminster, they want to be ruled by Brussels.
And you wonder why tourism is struggling and so many hotels are up for sale.
When visitors from England make the long journey to Shetland, they have obviously made a conscious decision to either take a overnight ferry journey from Aberdeen or to pay for a very expensive return air ticket; it’s cheaper to fly to Turkey or Spain.
They are not go to visit a place and spend their hard earned money if they aren’t made to feel welcome.
Be careful! You might get what you want, 55 million English might just vote to kick you out and let you stew in your little world.
Ian Tinkler
Just a generation to go. Now, how about an autonomous Shetland (Crown Dependency) clear of all the usual idiots, especially ex-Labour ((deposit lost in an election), now SNP jokers who were born in England!!!