THE organisers of a petition calling for ballots on independence for the Scottish islands have hailed the “hurricane” of support for their campaign.
They want referendums in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles on September 25 – a week after people across Scotland decide whether to break away from the UK.
The separate polls in each of the island groups would ask voters if they wanted to be independent nations – or remain part of Scotland.
And in the event of a “yes” vote in the Scottish independence referendum on September 18, islanders would also be asked if they wanted to leave Scotland but remain part of the UK.
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay was in Stornoway yesterday to hold joint talks with the three island councils about devolving local control in the event that the people of Scotland decide to go it alone in the autumn.
He said the SNP administration at Holyrood did not plan to hold any separate ballots in either the Hebrides of the Northern Isles.
Catriona Murray, secretary of the Referenda for Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles campaign, said yesterday there had been a “hurricane” of support for the cause.
She added that the online petition had attracted more than 600 signatures in the five days since it was lodged at the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Murray said: “We predicted that 1,000 signatures, equivalent to 2% of the combined island electorate, would be sufficient for the parliament to debate the issue, but if this momentum continues, we will get 10,000 or more.
“The Scottish Government will then have no option but to hold the referenda. The only things left to debate will be the details of implementation and which option will be best to vote for.”
The petition can be supported by people outside the islands.
Ms Murray, from Stornoway, said: “Islanders have literally never before had the chance to decide on the status of our islands. These are historic times indeed.”
Mr Mackay said: “The Scottish Government’s position is as outlined in the white paper on independence.
“We don’t propose a separate referendum for any individual parts of Scotland because we do believe that we are indeed, in Scotland, one nation and what we want to do is recognise the uniqueness and characteristics and the protection of the island areas.
“We will take the decision on the country’s constitutional future and respect that decision as per the Edinburgh Agreement.”
Gary Robinson, leader of Shetland Islands Council, said: “I certainly haven’t found a huge groundswell of opinion to support independence for any island groups.
“I am not sure you could have the Scottish independence referendum and then, as suggested in this petition, have an islands referendum the following week. There just isn’t the time to explore what all that means for the communities.”
He added: “There are so many things that need to be thought about in that respect. For example, which country your ferry or air service is going to arrive in and what currency you will use in that country, whichever one it may be.”
The petition closes on April 28.
Great debate, Pages 12,13 Comment, Page 28