Letters / A second chance
Dear Members of ‘We The People of Shetland of Shetland’ group,
In response to your open letter to the political parties in Shetland I would make the following points:
The controversy surrounding Mr Carmichael’s continuance as our MP must be dealt with in a considered manner in line with the Shetland way of doing things focusing on the democratic entitlement of the people of Shetland to effective representation in Parliament.
This is not about making personal comments directed at the man. Far from the SNP being in a frenzy over this debacle we have tried to be measured, I personally have written one short letter to the press and have encouraged a thoughtful approach to the issue.
I believe in second chances, but they must be freely given and in my view Mr Carmichael can only be given one by successfully winning an honest, open and fair election.
The electorate deserves a second chance as well as Mr Carmichael. I consider that an election is the political equivalent of a job interview.
If any one of Mr Carmichael’s constituents were to tell a lie of this severity they would undoubtedly lose their job. There should not be one rule for politicians and another for the general public.
I would like to ask the leaders of the parties who have expressed a view that they are against a by-election to explain why?
This whole issue is dividing the people of Shetland and healing is required and that can only be provided by a further fair election.
Meanwhile the situation is not being helped by some of the letters and public utterances being made against those of us who are only asking for a fair chance for the people of Shetland.
It is in Mr Carmichael’s own interest to obtain a mandate from the people of Shetland to finish this matter once and for all and if he succeeds in winning a by-election I will go into print to congratulate him as I did immediately after the parliamentary election and before the lie involved in his cover up was revealed.
I urge that this matter be brought to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.
We need effective representation in Parliament and an opportunity to reunite the community.
Robbie McGregor
Convener
Shetland Branch SNP
Quarff
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