News / Tories welcome Wir Shetland
THE LOCAL branch of the Conservative Party is the first of Shetland parties to officially endorse the launch of a new political group that is campaigning for the isles to become a self-governing region.
Wir Shetland launched on Wednesday night at Lerwick’s Town Hall as more than 60 people turned out to hear its aspirations for an autonomous Shetland.
The group, which has the support of three SIC councillors, has used the model of the Falkland Islands to highlight how it estimates Shetland could be at least £172 million a year better off if it takes control of its own affairs.
They cite potential tax takings from oil companies and workers in the North Sea and more control over fishing as ways in which Shetland could generate massive amounts of revenue.
Wir Shetland says it hopes to gain 1,000 members as well as more support in the council and from the isles’ political representatives.
Cameron Smith, the isles’ Conservative candidate for May’s Scottish Parliament election, said he “support(s) the aims of local campaigns such as Wir Shetland, which recognise that the centralisation of the last ten years or more have been a backward step for many rural communities”.
“I welcome Wir Shetland’s willingness to work with political parties and local candidates, and I’d be delighted to meet with them soon.”
Party branch chairman Maurice Mullay said results of a survey the Conservatives undertook earlier this year revealed the public’s desire for greater devolution for Shetland.
“It provided a wealth of valuable information on people’s perception on local issues and services which will be reflected in local policies for the Scottish parliamentary election,” he added.
“Decentralisation was a particularly recurring theme which relates to Wir Shetland objectives.
“We welcome the opportunity to learn of the aspirations of the new group and how Conservatives can achieve greater powers for Shetland’s future economy and prosperity.”
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