Council / SIC’s political leaders hold meetings with ministers and MSPs at SNP conference
SHETLAND Islands Council’s (SIC) leader and depute leader attended the recent SNP annual conference in Aberdeen to meet a variety of government ministers and MSPs and “build relationships”.
Meetings were held at the event by Emma Macdonald and Gary Robinson with politicians such as net zero, energy and transport secretary Michael Matheson and constitution, external affairs and culture chief Angus Robertson.
The pair also took time to speak to politicians on various committees with interests relating to the islands, renewable energy and rural policy.
SIC leader Macdonald said it was a “good opportunity to get lots of people under one roof” at the event, which was held earlier this month.
“Everybody was really engaged and happy to have conversations with us,” she said.
The North councillor said the issue of self-determination for Shetland was not raised with constitution secretary Robertson, with more introductory matters the focus instead.
“We did talk about the ability for local government to make more decisions, and how important that is to make decisions close to the people that are affected, and when you look at things like national care, that is a drift away from that,” Macdonald said.
The council leadership also spoke to business, trade, tourism and enterprise minister Ivan McKee, social justice and housing minister Shona Robison and local government minister Ben Macpherson.
They also met with MSPs Alasdair Allan, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Harper, Emma Roddick, Jenni Minto and Paul McLennan.
Macdonald said it was important to build relationships, and that the next step is to follow-up these meetings.
But she acknowledged that for Shetland to thrive there needs to be government assistance in certain areas, such as transport.
“I think they were all very much engaged,” Macdonald reflected.
“They recognise that we are trying to come to the table with solutions. We’re not going to them saying, we want you to fix this.
“It’s very much – these are the situations, these are the opportunities Shetland has, but in order for us to realise those opportunities we need some help to get there. I think they recognise that.”
Macdonald said she did not attend the main SNP conference sessions, with the focus instead on holding meetings with ministers and MSPs.
Meanwhile Robinson said the pair also met with a range of exhibitors at the conference, including Energy Action Scotland, the Scottish Police Federation and BP.
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