Complete sham (Peter Jamieson)

In response to last week’s letter “Jump on his bandwagon” by J Michael Hannah, I would like to voice some concerns I feel need pointing out.

Having been quite silent about my views on the proposed “windfarm” for fear of offending people, I can’t help but think this has gone too far when an outspoken member of Sustainable Shetland can usurp his position for his own political agenda. Does this make him a good candidate, a worthy representative for these islands, or something else entirely?

A recent poll created on Facebook by Daniel Watt of Scalloway, on the subject of the windfarm in Shetland, yielded a very interesting outcome – 655 were for it, and only 369 were against, 133 were undecided.

Given that some of those votes cannot be classed as legitimate, either “not living in Shetland” or “under the age to vote”, which both sides had some of (although not too many), I think it is still a very good indication of what the public in general think, and if the majority of Shetland is for it then … where does that leave our prospective candidate Mr Fox?

I think it is all well and good wanting to run for a seat in parliament, but as Mr Hannah let slip in his letter last week, we have to show caution when that said person is relying on the votes of a very outspoken and determined bunch of people such as those who oppose the windfarm.

Surely anyone running for such a position would need to do so on their own merits. Whether I am for or against the windfarm has nothing to do with this letter; I only wish to draw attention to something I think is a complete sham and dangerous with it.

Shetland has some very serious issues that need to be dealt with: school closures, health, care, unemployment, addiction. Would it not make more sense to vote in someone who wants to devote their time and energies to what really matters, and what affects us all, not just the gripes of a minority group?

It sounds very much like someone is trying to sneak in through the back door. It’s not good for politics … and it’s certainly not good for Shetland.

Peter Jamieson
Scalloway.

COMMENTS(2)

Add Your Comment
  • Ian tinkler

    • April 5th, 2011 8:46

    Peter, this is called democracy. That is when people with views and beliefs can put themselves forward to represent others with similar views, to be elected to parliament.
    Billy Fox is doing just that.. He has stated It is not only his views against VE, but many issues he wishes to represent Shetlanders on. No doubt his forthcoming manifesto will enlighten you as to what his views are. If you have a problem with this perhaps you , or someone suppoting VE should stand against him. Maybe like Tavish Scott, no one supporting the VE project, has The Balls to take an honest stand on this issue.

    Ian Tinkler

    REPLY
  • paul barlow

    • April 5th, 2011 16:03

    Being very pro wind farm I find it strange that I instinctively want to vote for Billy. If he can really become an independent and not just anti windfarm he will have my vote. After all he does know how to run a campaign. I’m sorry to say i just can’t vote for any of the others. Have two of the candidates even been to Shetland yet.

    REPLY

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