Scottish Referendums

Islands Push For Further Devolution

Only hours after Scotland recorded a decisive Yes-Yes vote in the devolution referendum, representatives of the island communities are calling for more control over their own affairs.

The Western Isles voted overwhelmingly in favour of devolution on Thursday, now the council have launched a campaign for further devolution for the islands. The convenor of Western Isles council, Donald Mackay said that any amendment to devolution legislation granting extra power to the Orkney and Shetland Islands must also include the Western Isles. Control over transportation and fuel prices are priorities for the council.

Orkney council convener, Hugh Halco-Johnston suggested that Orkney, which was one of only two areas to vote Yes-No vote on Thursday, should have another referendum to help determine which powers should be further devolved from Ediburgh to Kirkwall. He signalled that Orkney would not be asking for its own tax-raising powers, but the council would want power over transport links to the islands. Granville Solloway, the chairman of the islands' Conservative Party, commented, "It's crazy that it costs more to fly from Orkney to England than it does to fly from London to America. We receive a terrible air service at present and I feel the council could make a far better job of it." Jim Wallace, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and MP for Orkney & Shetland has already proposed that there should be further devolution to the island communities.

These comments came as leaders of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, which drew up the blueprint for the Scottish Parliament, called on the people of England not to listen to, what they call, they prophets of doom but to celebrate Sctoalnd's vote for devolution. They also urged the Welsh, who go to the polls on devolution on Thursday, to help to transform Britain into a modern democracy.

Wright

Wright: England should celebrate

Chair of the Convention, Canon Kenyon Wright, argued that devolution will strengthen the union, and will be in the long term benefit of English as well as the Scots. He urged the people of Wales to have the courage to join Scotland in changing Britain into a modern democracy fit for a new millenium.