Shetland Islands Council has voted overwhelmingly in favour of exploring options for achieving “financial and political self-determination” for the islands.
The significant decision was made when 20 of Shetland’s 22 councillors showed their support for the motion during a meeting of the full council on Wednesday.
The dramatic move stemmed from growing frustration over what is seen as more decision-making being centralised, and reduced government funding.
Councillors were keen to stress that the motion meant options were only being explored, and that any constitutional change would see the public go to the ballot box.
The motion read: “We believe that Shetland has the wherewithal to have a positive future.
“However, in recent times we have seen more and more decision making being centralised and public funding being consistently reduced.
“We are concerned that this ongoing situation is seriously threatening the prosperity, and even basic sustainability, of Shetland as a community.
“In order to look at alternatives to ensure Shetland can reach and maintain its full potential, we, the undersigned, move that: “The Shetland Islands Council formally begins exploring options for achieving financial and political self-determination.”
Listen: The P&J’s Westminster correspondent Dan O’Donoghue asks Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael for his reaction to the Shetland Islands Council vote
Councillors Duncan Anderson, Andrea Manson and Alec Priest have been a driving force behind the motion, which has been in the pipeline for a number of months.
Leader Steven Coutts proposed for the motion to be approved, suggesting that remote decision making “just does not work” for Shetland.
He referred to his belief that the creation of the Scottish Parliament in the 1990s and the more recent islands act have not had much of a beneficial impact on Shetland.
He said there were a number of opportunities for Shetland in the years ahead, such as the proposed space centre and its potential “significant role” in energy transition.
“There’s a host of opportunities around Shetland and we need to grasp them,” Coutts said.
Councillor Duncan Anderson added: “Carrying on with the status quo is not an option.”
Lerwick councillor Stephen Leask, however, said it was “not the time or place” to be what he called “autonomy lite”.
He said he felt the issue should not be restricted to 22 councillors, saying the Shetland public should be consulted and that the issue needed to be taken to the ballot box.
“I believe in democracy, not dictatorship,” he said.
Fellow Lerwick member John Fraser, however, noted the wording of the motion, highlighting that it would only see the council explore options as a first step.
“Any change that arises will be decided by the ballot box,” he said.
Mr Coutts said the time was right to explore all options.
“I’m not going to look 25 years into the past or the future,” he said. “I’m going to concentrate on the now.”
With things going to a vote, the council chamber overwhelmingly voted in favour of the motion.