Shetland threatens Sturgeon with breakaway referendum as Holyrood ‘not delivering’

Shetland councillor discusses independence from Scotland and UK

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A Shetland councillor has expressed dismay with the SNP in Holyrood, Brussels and Westminster at not receiving a fair share of benefits for being part of Scotland and the United Kingdom. In a surprising interview with DW News, Councillor Steven Coutts demanded independence for the archipelago off the North East tip of Scotland saying “money is flowing out” of Shetland and islanders want to see “local accountability for the decisions” made in central parliament. But a fisherman from the area disagreed and stressed it was important to remain united.

Shetland councillor and independence activist Steven Coutts said: “At the moment it (the union) is not delivering the benefit to the local community like it should.

“Money is flowing out of Shetland, we want just that degree of local accountability for the decisions.”

The Shetland islander explained how “we are far away from both the Westminster Parliament, Brussels as well as Holyrood.”

Mr Coutts argued: “We are very far away but these are life-impacting decisions that are made without any local political accountability.”

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But one fisherman disagreed citing how he wants stability for the future of his business and no more confusion over what impact independence could have on Shetland.

Victor said: “No, that’s just a pipe dream. That can never happen!

“You see you look at the six years trying to negotiate together with Europe, imagine how many years it’ll take to get that here.”

The fisherman explained: “You’re going to get too much individuality. You all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet if you want to be getting anywhere.”

Scotland: Sturgeon and Douglas Ross clash during debate

Scotland’s First Minister has raised the stakes ahead of the Holyrood election this week. 

Ms Sturgeon has promised that if the Scottish National Party win a majority, she will take that as a mandate from Scotland’s electorate to hold another referendum on breaking away from the rest of the UK.

Westminster has so far refused to grant Ms Sturgeon the legal powers to hold Indyref2, as Scotland already voted to stay in the Union back in 2014.

Elections across the United Kingdom take place tomorrow and include mayoral elections, local, regional and national elections in the home nations.

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A poll by BMG Research in the Scottish newspaper The Herald polled the SNP to win 68 seats in Thursday’s election.

While a Survation poll in The Courier polled the SNP as winning 66 seats, three more seats than in 2016.

However, another poll in the Scotsman by Savanta Comres found the SNP 59 seats, which would see the SNP short of a majority by six.

Scottish elections take place on Thursday 6th May and the result could determine the future Scotland in the Union.

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