The leader of Shetland Islands Council has pledged to “press home” the case for more powers from both Westminster and Holyrood following the outcome of the independence referendum.
Gary Robinson believes many of the pledges aimed at providing Scotland’s islands with greater representation could still be delivered following Thursday’s No vote.
Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said after the count that he had immediately started work on implementing a framework set out in response to the Our Islands Our Future (OIOF) campaign by the three island councils.
It promised to “island proof” legislation before it was passed, provide a dedicated desk officer in the Scotland Office and greater representation in Europe.
Yesterday Mr Robinson said: “The OIOF campaign got commitments from both governments. We need to press home those commitments and ensure we reap the maximum benefits from them, to ensure we get the best deal from government for Shetland.
“I think we need to strike while the iron is hot, while all of this is still fresh in peoples’ minds.”
While the SIC will be pressuring the SNP government to deliver on offers it has made that did not rely on a Yes vote, the pledge to devolve 100% of Crown Estate income from seabed-related activity to the islands will not now be delivered.
Mr Robinson added: “If there was a disappointment (with the UK Government’s package) it is there was very little at all on the Crown Estate. I think that’s something we want to revisit with the UK Government.”
Council convener Malcolm Bell echoed Mr Robinson and said he expected both the Scottish and UK governments to “make good on the promises made” during the OIOF campaign.