Malcolm Bell says Shetland Islands are non-partisan on independence

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Shetland Councillor Malcolm Bell spoke to Express.co.uk about Shetland voting overwhelmingly to explore self-determination options in September 2020 and to end its reliance on the Scottish Government. However, Mr Bell explained there were key misconceptions about the decision as he told Express.co.uk many politicians on the islands are non-partisan and did not want to literally become “independent” but are frustrated with the centralisation of powers towards Holyrood. Mr Bell believed while any council in the UK could make the same argument for great local powers he believes Shetland Council, who look after little more than 20,000 people, was in a unique position because of its culture and geography.”

In September, Mr Bell took part in a vote to explore more forms of local control with councillors voting 18-2 in favour.

Mr Bell explained since the vote, different options have been explored such as becoming a crown dependency and mimicking some governments of Europe who have greater local powers given to councils. 

But while Mr Bell explained there have been discussions with Westminster and Holyrood about the vote, he says the vote was nothing to do with independence in the sense of becoming a country or otherwise. 

Mr Bell explained the situation in Shetland and said: “What we’re talking about here isn’t independence, there’s no drive for Shetland independence.

“What the council sought was a greater say in how we do things here because there has been, over the years, a push towards centralisation.

“That is not a party political statement or a criticism of the current party who are in charge at Holyrood or at Westminster.

“Centralisation has happened over many decades and authority is removed from councils and sucked into the centre.

“What we’re looking for is greater self-determination, is the ability of a council to make its own decisions for things that are relevant for Shetland.

“You could say the same for any council anywhere in the country, that is true, but we think we are different.

Councillor demands Shetland Islands get more power

“Insofar our culture, geography, we’re a 12-hour overnight ferry crossing from Aberdeen.

“So we are as remote from Edinburgh as Edinburgh is from London in many respects.

“So that’s what we’re looking for, it’s exploring options for self-determination, it’s not a pursuit of independence.”

Mr Bell explained a large majority of politicians on the islands were not tied to political parties and said the issue with Scotland control is to do with its structure – not necessarily who is in power.

He adds the situation in Scotland of power becoming centralised has been occurring over many years under different political parties who have had the power to give Shetland the powers they want.

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He explained: “The Scottish Government could be doing that now but they are continuing a process of decision making into the centre.

“And this is not something which has been going on over the past ten years, this has been going on for the last few decades and accelerated since 1990s.”

The councillor believes that unless action is taken, local representatives will lose the local link they have with their voters because they will be unable to exercise power on their behalf. 

When asked about what would happen to the oil reserves near to Shetland, Mr Bell said it has not been properly discussed yet as the main issue is to gain more political powers.

The SNP announced as part of their re-election manifesto “Island Bonds” which will be awarded to people who choose to stay on isolated Scottish islands. 

They fear some islands are at risk of major depopulation as locals leave the area for places with better infrastructure.

The consultation is now currently open with up to £50,000 being made available for communities with a declining population.

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