News / Vic throws hat into ring
VETERAN campaigner Vic Thomas has announced he is to stand as an independent in the Shetland North ward at May’s council elections.
In his manifesto, published on his Facebook page, the 64 year old said he wanted to champion sustainable development in rural communities, and would stand up for island devolution, greener energy and more openness in local government.
The retired team leader at COPE’s scrapstore, who now lives in Catfirth, said it was time for change.
“I believe in government bottom up, not top down, and governance designed to be flexible to avoid the barriers the ‘one size fits all system’ creates,” he said.
“The bigger the system becomes the more remote the leaders are.”
“On a local level here in Shetland we have had an ever growing spineless centralising councils that waste money whilst choosing the easy target of rural island communities for savings.
“I have no illusions about one guy changing things for the better of his or her community, but the little people of this planet have to try to take some of the reign’s from the hands of the ruling elite.”
It is the second time that Thomas, who used to be a Friends of the Earth campaigner, has put his name forward in a local government election.
Back in 2007 he unsuccessfully contested the Lerwick South council ward.
He joins a number of people who have already, at this early stage, put their names forward. The other are: Ryan Thomson (North Isles ward), Ian Tinkler (Shetland West), Duncan Simpson (North Isles), Alec Priest (North Isles) and Frankie Valente (Lerwick South).
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