Orkney and Shetland drop a bomb into independence debate
They don't seem to fancy Scots rule.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9151646/Scotlands-oil-rich-Northern-Isles-tell-Alex-Salmond-We-might-stay-with-UK.html
The Orkney and Shetland islands could remain part of the UK if the rest of Scotland votes to separate, according to a report submitted by their MSPs to the Government.
The islands could even declare independence themselves, it adds.
Alternatively, they could agree to join a separate Scotland only if they are granted a much bigger portion of North Sea oil and gas revenues, around a quarter of which lies in Shetland’s waters alone.
Tavish Scott, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland, agreed the threat was political “dynamite” but questioned why Mr Salmond was the only politician who could use oil wealth to argue for self-determination.
The paper, submitted to the Coalition Government’s consultation on the forthcoming independence referendum, concluded the islands should exploit the ballot to negotiate a more advantageous constitutional settlement.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9151646/Scotlands-oil-rich-Northern-Isles-tell-Alex-Salmond-We-might-stay-with-UK.html
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Comments
Let's be clear here folks.
It's two Lib-Dem MSPs who don't fancy Scots rule.
Disingenuous thread title and disingenuous original post.
Let's be even clearer...
Have the residents voted on separating from Scotland?
Nope. Have you read the article?
If they vote no to independence in the referendum, would you be happy if they negotiated to stay as part of the UK?
They have the right of self-determination, surely...
Yes. It's an article in a Pro-Unionist newspaper, relating to a report compiled by two Pro-Unionist MSPs. Big deal!
What the article does not say, is just what consultation with the local populace/electorate was carried out by the MSPs before they compiled their report.
Last time I looked, they were part of Scotland. If there is a will by them to separate from Scotland, then for sure.
If they want to go with Norway that's certainly an option.........and a damned sight more likely than them wanting to go with London.
Tell me though. If the North of england vote for a Labour Government, but are defeated by a Southern England vote for a Tory one, would the North of England be allowed to cede from the rest and set up their own Government?
These two islands are very independent and have voted Lib Dem/Liberal for generations - they aren't exactly great fans of the SNP or being dictated to by Edinburgh (or London). And rightly so - why should they have their oil and gas revenue used to fund Glasgow?:D
Sorry, I'm going on what I've read.
Do you dispute the claim in the story that "the residents have traditionally been extremely hostile to Scottish independence"? or that "the islands have always been and remain sceptical of Scottish central belt rule”." If so, where can I read something that tells me otherwise?
So the newspaper can make the claims, without providing any sources, but a DS member must spoon feed you chapter and verse?
I have made no claims other than pointing out that the article quotes a report by two Pro-Unionist MSPs, and shows no indication of what this "report" is based upon.
Doesn't look like it, according to the article. Nicola Sturgeon seems to have cooled on the idea of self determination.
Unionist MP's in Unionist Newspaper spout Unionist fantasy shock.
The fact is, the "Freedom for Shetland" movement is six men and a dog, and here we have Two Lib Dems, terrified for their seats given recent events, trying to make play out of an idea which is as credible as Robert Mugabe's conscience.
Compare the amount of people in Orkney and Shetland who vote SNP with those who vote for the "Freedom for the Isles" party . . .
Actually, you can't, because there isn't a Freedom for the Isle's Party . . .
Is this really the best the Unionists can do? Seriously?
The same Tavish Scott, who lost 19% of his constituency voters and who led the Lib Dems to probably their worst ever result in Scotland, with a total wipeout on the mainland?
The only way we'll know for sure what the people of Orkney and Shetland want is when the question is put to them officially in 2014.
I have just read a series of books about Shetland and have come to realise just how independent they are and how their culture emanates from the Norse traditions.
It would actually, but there would have to be a majority of northerners in favour of it, and in spite of what whiny online posters say, there is virtually zero appetite for northern independence.
I suspect the same will be true of the Scottish islands. If there was any significant support for independence from Edinburgh, some kind of movement would already exist.
Congratulations.
The Scottish political structure has been aware of this for hundreds of years.
There is no serious Freedom for Shetland movement, and there never has been. When they elect MSP's who support independent for the Isles perhaps there will be a debate, just as when Holyrood elected an SNP majority . . . however they haven't, and nor do they appear to want to.
What we have here is two MSP's who are very, very likely to lose their seats at the next election given the massive SNP surge in the polls, spouting desparate hopes, being picked up on by a Tory Newspaper whos circulation North of the Border is minimal.
Perspective much?
Yes. It's called backing up your claims by attributing them to published articles. Happens all the time - can't believe you've never had to do it before.
Au contraire...
Now THAT'S disingenuous.
Ummm . . .they are Lib Dem SNP's and the Lib Dems are Unionists.
What's disingenuous about that statement?