The election campaign in Shetland is gaining momentum as SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad successfully invited First Minister John Swinney to visit the islands for the second time. The two will hold a public meeting at the Mareel on February 23, 2024, at 19:00, with local broadcaster Jane Moncrieff serving as chair. Free tickets for the event will be available through the Mareel box office.
Goodlad is emphasizing her commitment to the fishing industry as a key priority if elected as the next Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the area. “With my family background, I grew up understanding just how important fishing is to Shetland,” she stated. She highlighted that discussions about fishing were a regular topic at her family’s dinner table, which has shaped her deep appreciation for the industry.
In recent months, Goodlad has engaged directly with local fishermen and held four meetings with the Shetland Fishermen’s Association. She has expressed her concerns to Mairi Gougeon, the Scottish fisheries minister, regarding a recent decision to increase the landing requirement of mackerel in Scotland from 50 to 70 percent.
Goodlad has raised additional issues affecting the fishing community, such as the lack of enforcement on foreign vessels transferring their catch in Shetland waters. She remarked, “Another issue is the problem that unregulated gill netting is causing local boats. This has been going on for years, and nothing is being done about it. A solution must be found.”
She believes that securing a seat in the Scottish Parliament would enable her to advocate more effectively for the fishing industry. “If the fishing industry is prepared to put their trust in me at the May elections, I will be able to do so much more with a seat at the table where all the decisions are made.”
In parallel, Emma Macdonald, the Liberal Democrat candidate, has responded to the results of a consultation on the Northern Isles ferry service, released by Transport Scotland last week. The findings reflect ongoing concerns from local residents regarding lack of capacity, safety issues in pod lounges, noisy cabins, and pricing disparities.
“This consultation confirms what we have been hearing for many years: our ferry service is a lifeline service,” Macdonald stated. She criticized the current system that forces islanders to book weeks in advance for travel with vehicles or choose between accommodation and travel.
Macdonald emphasized the need for a ferry service that meets the unique needs of island residents. “We need a service designed for islanders, restoring affordable cabin options that work for single travellers and ensuring safety and privacy for everyone,” she said. She called on the Scottish Government to prioritize the needs of islanders in the upcoming ferry contract negotiations.
“Ferries are the backbone of our connection to the rest of Scotland – socially, economically, and culturally,” Macdonald continued. “As your MSP, I will push for better vessels, better cabins, better capacity, and more focus on islanders’ priorities. Lifeline services shouldn’t feel like a lottery – they should work for the people who depend on them every day.”
Meanwhile, Labour candidate John Erskine has publicly supported Prime Minister Keir Starmer amidst rising calls for his resignation. Erskine’s backing comes even after Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, urged Starmer to step down.
The election campaign is heating up as candidates from various parties, including Alex Armitage representing the Greens and Brian Nugent for Sovereignty, prepare for the upcoming May elections in Shetland. The stakes for local issues such as fishing and ferry services are high, and voters will soon decide who they trust to represent their interests in the Scottish Parliament.
