EU citizens welcome (Robbie McGregor)

Shetland and Scotland must not be dragged out of the EU against our will. Every avenue of negotiation must be explored.

The First Minister has said that the machinery for a second independence referendum must be in place before the UK implements Article 50 but she is not saying we will have one.

David Cameron has been advised that the Scottish government must be involved directly in discussions on the next steps the UK government intends to take.

Shetland and Scotland have voted clearly that they wish to remain in the EU. We want to explore every way of ensuring that the democratic will of the people of Shetland and Scotland is delivered.

This is a serious situation that we find ourselves in and I call on all politicians in Shetland to get behind the clear mandate of the Shetland people and ensure that we remain in the EU.

A further matter came to my attention at the weekend when I spoke with an EU citizen who lives and works in Shetland but is not in possession of a UK passport.

He told me that the Brexit vote in the UK made him feel unwelcome in the UK and he was unsure what the future holds.

I assured him that he and his family were welcome here in Shetland (and Scotland) and that SNP Shetland will support all persons who are in this position in Shetland.

I am delighted that Nicola Sturgeon has indicated strong support for EU workers living in Scotland.

Robbie McGregor
Convener,
SNP Shetland
“Dumyat”,
3 North Heights,
Quarff.

COMMENTS(21)

Add Your Comment
  • John Tulloch

    • June 27th, 2016 10:46

    Ah, the ‘Invisible Man’ breaks cover! Have you plucked up courage now that something has gone your way, at last?

    There is a far clearer mandate from the Shetland people to remain in the UK – 64 percent For the UK versus 56 percent For the EU.

    Remind us do, Robbie, how did the SNP fare in Shetland in the Scottish Election?

    But then democracy is the last thing we expect from the SNP.

    REPLY
    • Robert Sim

      • June 28th, 2016 4:45

      And no mandate whatsoever for an independent Shetland.

      REPLY
      • ian tinkler

        • June 28th, 2016 10:00

        Early days as yet Robert Sim. If Wir Shetland is so lacking credibility , just why are you so frightened by it. Surely if it is of no consequence whatsoever why does it occupy your thoughts so much that you keep endlessly keep corresponding so? Are you obsessed by Wir Shetland or just have no meaningful use for your time? sad really.

      • John Burns

        • August 7th, 2016 16:47

        Look at the Isle of Man, not doing that badly. Shetland would have total control over its its fishing grounds.

  • ian tinkler

    • June 27th, 2016 11:33

    If my maths serves me, allowing for turnout, was it not only about 40% of Shetlanders that voted to stay in? Hardly a massive EU endorsement for the EU. 60% voted for out or were too indifferent to bother voting! Considering the massive PR hype to support staying in and the dislike and distaste of most for UKIP, an extraordinary result for those wanting out of the EU.

    REPLY
  • Douglas Greig Young

    • June 27th, 2016 11:39

    The reassurance to those who have made their home in Scotland is welcome Robbie and it has been hugely encouraging to hear the number of people who voted NO in 2014 come out publicly in support for YES and IN

    The 1500 new, fully-paid up members joining in 24 hours after the result is also encouraging, as is the support from all five leaders of Scottish political parties and every local authority area to support EU membership

    REPLY
  • David Spence

    • June 27th, 2016 12:03

    Ian, according to the latest figures, 56.5% of Shetlander’s voted to remain within the EU.

    Britain going it alone will make life for millions of people much worse, especially if this Tory Government endorses TTIP. It will be farewell to State run Education, the NHS and many other services under the Tax Payer, but backdoor politics has and will transfer this to ‘ market forces dominated by American Companies ‘

    For those people who voted for separating from the EU, you should be thoroughly ashamed for making the live’s of people much, much worse.

    Great Britain is not Great and will never be Great in the Future…………………..it is this foolish xenophobic mentality which has decided the choice of the people (allegedly).

    Britain will 100% be much worse off after exiting the EU.

    REPLY
  • Alvin Leong

    • June 27th, 2016 12:41

    It is nice and reassuring for EU citizens to see in a statement by the SNP that they are very much welcomed in Scotland. I wonder what about non-EU citizens then? SNP whats them out?

    REPLY
    • Robin Stevenson

      • June 28th, 2016 1:22

      Alvin, that’s gotta be up there with one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve read in some time.

      REPLY
      • Alvin Leong

        • June 28th, 2016 10:09

        Ridiculous because you have no idea what fees, restrictions and red tape non-EU citizens actually face.

      • ian_tinkler

        • June 29th, 2016 15:01

        My goodness Robin, guess where Alvin comes from. He has a hell of a lot more knowledge than you here and personal experience. As always you write in utter ignorance, just churning out the party propaganda, when short on fact just revert to ridicule and rudeness, you do us “turncoates” proud.

      • Robin Stevenson

        • June 29th, 2016 17:43

        Alvin, having now read your personal plight.

        I’d like to point out that the SNP isn’t in charge of immigration, it is not in their powers, it is a reserved matter for the UK government. So basically, it is incorrect to blame the SNP Scottish government.

        I’m not sure if you’re aware of the case of the ‘Brain family’ where the SNP fought tooth and nail to save them from being deported? So when you posted ‘SNP wants them out’ that is simply not the case.

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/modern/uk_gov_politics/gov_sco/revision/1/

      • Alvin Leong

        • June 30th, 2016 9:48

        Robin, I am fully aware of Brian’s story (as I was under similar rules as them years ago) and also of a number of other families in similar situation that are reported on the news occasionally. I voted out against the EU, not against the SNP. I voted for fairness and equality, everyone should be subjected to the same rules, cost and stress or no one at all. Even though SNP does not currently have power over immigration issues, the First Minister’s statement and the letter above clearly support EU citizens only, with no mention about anyone else. This, to me, reads as they will prioritise EU citizens over anyone else. Or is it SNP’s usual policy to rush out a statement first without thinking or knowing the background as you did when you first called my comment “ridiculous”?

        P.S. During the last independence referendum, I wrote into a SNP MSP to ask about the party’s position on my status and had waited over 2 months for a reply, guess which way I voted after that?

  • ian tinkler

    • June 27th, 2016 12:53

    Sorry David Spens, your statement is quite inaccurate. “56.5% of Shetlander’s voted to remain within the EU”, is factually wrong. The fact is only 40% voted to remain in the EU. Now the rest of your comments are entirely subjective and as is quite usual for you, highly vindictive . I would respectfully suggest to you, your views on the peoples of the USA are entirely bigoted and indeed xenophobic. It is extreme idiocy to state somehow the USA can influence the NHS or UK education, your hatred of the USA is indeed verging on paranoia.

    REPLY
    • David Spence

      • June 27th, 2016 15:27

      Ian, I was not criticizing the people of America, but this countries political and economic methods of how it governs itself.

      Ian, you will also know the Conservative Party wants to model its economic and political structures like those in the USA. Practically everybody knows this. A system where monetary greed, profit and dominance is the priority regardless to any moral principles or judgments. You only have to look at global statistics to see Capitalism, by its very nature, is selfish, greedy, destructive and short term thinking regardless to the long term consequences.

      The USA is 4.5% of the worlds population, but consumes 31% of all global resources, and produces 25% of the worlds pollution. As well as this, the USA has been responsible (directly and indirectly) for more death, destruction and the deprivation of millions than any other developed country in the past 120 years. The USA is also the worlds largest Arms Dealer.

      It this the social model we really want to adopt?

      REPLY
      • ian_tinkler

        • June 27th, 2016 16:17

        David Spence, the USA is a democracy. The law and culture is the will of the people of the USA. Your hatred is clear, your views revolting and malign.

      • Robin Stevenson

        • June 28th, 2016 1:27

        Ian

        Dare I suggest educating yourself with regard to the ‘state’ of the great American dream? Michael Moore’s latest documentary ‘Where to invade next’.

    • Bill Adams

      • June 29th, 2016 16:24

      56.5% of valid votes cast in Shetland were in favour of remaining in the EU.
      People who fail to vote disenfranchise themselves.
      It should be noted that that 16- and 17- year olds together with EU citizens
      who are entitled to vote in Holyrood and council elections
      were not able to vote as the franchise was restricted to the Westminster register.

      REPLY
  • John Tulloch

    • June 27th, 2016 14:45

    Douglas,

    By highlighting this immigration episode you and Robbie MacGregor are putting up yourselves and the SNP as defending poor immigrants against the racist horde of Shetland Leave voters. I find that repugnant.

    Shetland needs and welcomes immigrant workers and you will find no more than a handful of cranks who make them unwelcome.

    By this crass political act you are doing Shetland a great disservice.

    REPLY
    • Brian Smith

      • June 27th, 2016 21:18

      John – will Wir UKIP be disbanding now that the Referendum is over – or will it continue its work?

      REPLY
      • ian tinkler

        • June 29th, 2016 22:03

        Brian, will UNISON be disbanding now labour is over?

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