Capeesh

Thanks for the warning Oxters. Life's too short.

^^You wouldn't get my vote if you were running, I like these policies. Pricelessly funny things about this election part 123... With half the members of the Scottish Government up here campaigning, the very same people who complain bitterly about the government ignoring Shetland are literally chasing them away from their doorsteps! Smirk should do a cartoon!

According to their critics, the SNP sell Shetland short because we've never voted for them, this is a comically hard sell because it relies heavily on us not noticing the things they've done with our own eyes. All you have to do is look around you. Do you know anybody living in one of these new affordable homes that've sprung up all over Shetland? There's hundreds of them. Do you have kids or grandkids going to nursery about to recieve nearly double the free hours? Maybe they're a bit older attending the brand new high school? Maybe they've just graduated or are away studying getting their free university education. Have you travelled to the mainland lately? I have, 50% discount on my flights. (Had a great time thanks) Need medicine? No probs, Shetlands sick don't get taxed for being ill, free prescriptions all round. Just had a baby? Here's a baby box to help you get started on the joys of parenthood. The list goes on and on. Monty Pythons sketch "What have the Romans ever done for us" springs to mind. Tom Wills has said if he's elected he'll fight tooth and nail to recieve more benefits for us in Shetland using all his influence as a member of the governing party to improve things for all Shetlanders, there's a good chance he would be successful if given the chance yet here he is getting pilloried for it. What a difference it is having people put some effort in to win our votes, it's true it's not the way it's been done in Shetland, the majority of us have just ticked the same old box for decades even when there's been little in the way of policy to entice us.

I hope the negative smear campaign that's been launched against Tom Wills's bid by some of his opponents falls flat on its face. I don't think we're daft enough to fall for it, people will see through the clumsy fabrications.

The "threat" is made up nonsense fabricated by their opponents, all they've done is back their man in an election, nothing unusual, nothing sinister, it would be entirely bizarre if they did anything else. It's desperate and hopefully people will see through it.

“There has been an open door to Shetland’s elected representatives throughout the time we have been in government." Nicola Sturgeon First Minister 14th August 2019. They've never said our representatives wouldn't be listened to if we don't vote for them, they're just backing their man in an election, hardly unusual.

I think youve mixed up two separate issues. Everyone accepts that political parties and individuals will make statements about what they can offer and what they hope to achieve, this helps us decide who we might vote for. This is a completely different issue from the SNPs backhand attempts to basically say, you won’t get anything unless you vote our man in. Most of the SNP top dogs have suggested this and in my opinion that’s where the threats and blackmail lie. Policies are one thing but their vail attempts to persuade us that things can only get better if we vote in Wills is completely unacceptable.Not mixed up at all, it's the same issue not seperate ones, Tom Wills issued a list of policies for Shetland he said he would work hard to try and get implemented if elected. If he's rejected at the polls then he reverts to being a normal citizen like you or me, he can hardly try and get his plans implemented in Holyrood if he's back working with windmills in the North Sea. Not blackmail just the way the world works.What are the SNP supposed to say, would it go something like this?... The best chance the people of Shetland have of getting Tom Wills ambitious plans implemented is to reject him and our party at the polls and vote for one of his opponents

There's absolutely no difference whatsoever. More likely a case of blind hatred clouding a few peoples judgement, or it could simply be the case that people are being misled and manipulated by those with an agenda, it is an election after all.Up and down the country, every democratic country, every single election, ever since the Greeks invented democracy we've had people promising to do something if elected, guess what? That's politics. The only difference I can see from other places is here in Shetland we're just not used to being offered anything or having anybody other than the LibDems seriously trying to win our votes. We've provided the safest of safe LibDem seats for decades, our votes have been taken for granted, they don't need to promise or do anything, and I say that as somebody who has voted LibDem myself. The day that finally changes wil be a good day for Shetland.

When every other political party in every democracy on the planet makes a series of pledges/promises/actions to try and win votes they call it a manifesto or policies. When the SNP do it it's called blackmail/bribes/threats/bullying. Hmmmmm. OK then.

Political party promises to do something if you vote for them shocker. It's almost like they're doing it deliberately to gain votes. Hold on a minute..... This describes the actions of every single political party in every single election since the dawn of democracy.

Or it could be seen as an investment like free education, I'm sure someone on here posted evidence from a study proving the benefits of having a well educated population to the country's economy. Getting medicine to people who need it with free prescriptions who are put off by the cost might end up costing the NHS more down the line. Free care for the elderly may stop hospital beds getting taken up. Free nusery care could lead to parents getting back in the workplace earning money gaining disposable incomes, maybe taking them out of benefits and paying tax. Means testing also costs money. I'm no expert by a long shot and I don't have the facts and figures but I'm pretty sure it's not as black and white as free stuff is a burden on the taxpayer.

Of course not but you just have to look at what's happening in the North of England right now, we're lucky we have a devolved parliament, they almost get completely ignored, Boris couldn't give a flying fig what happens outside the M25, I'm sure it was Thatchers government going on about managed decline in cities like Liverpool. If Westminster's so good why have they downed tools to tear themselves apart while taking the whole country to the edge of an economic cliff edge with their no deal Brexit? The only memorable thing our MP and his fellow LibDems did was jump into bed with the tories and treat us to a decade of austerity.

This inconsequential parliament put my brother through university free of charge, it's in the process of almost doubling the free nursery hours for my youngest child enabling my mrs to work and earn extra money and save us extortionate childcare costs, saved me money on travel to the mainland, built a new high school a few of my family members attend not to mention the hundreds of affordable houses that have sprung up all over Shetland where a couple of my friends live, given first class healthcare to a good few of my family and friends and that's just of the top of my head. These are real tangible things that have come to me and many other Shetlanders from Holyrood under the SNP. If that's how they punish Shetland for not voting for them then forgive me if this Shetlander bends over and takes six of the best.

Suggesting a governing party has more influence implementing policy than anyone else is so obvious it's like saying the sky is blue or the sea is wet.

He did no such thing, read the article again, the headline and first paragraph don't match the full quote.Tom Gordon, the author of the piece is one of the main go to guys at the Herald for "SNP accused" stories. Don't believe me? Google "SNP accused Herald" and see for yourself. He's taken a quote, used a small portion of it and added his own spin as the lead up to that partial quote. He's clumsily using all the old hack tricks to try and make a story out of nothing, for example using the word "appearing" in the first line of his yarn..."THE deputy leader of the SNP has been criticised for appearing to threaten voters with poorer public services if they don’t back the party in a byelection." gets alarm bells ringing right away. He's fabricating a fascinating tale that catches the eye but has no basis in fact. The full quote is included further down the article to cover his backside but the hatchet job's already been done and the people who lap this stuff up have already bought the paper or snatched at the clickbait.

^^They introduced a 20% for passengers and cars on ferry fares and a 50% discount on flights.

^^They have delivered for Shetland, all you have to do is look at the things Tavish took credit for that've been delivered by an SNP government. Is this not the way politics in a democracy work? A party or individual makes a series of pledges or policies that they will try to implement if elected, we the electorate have to decide what policies we agree with and assess the likelihood of them having the power to implement them, and finally, holding them to account if elected. The power to implement doesn't necessarily mean being in government it could mean having the necessary votes to make sure the acting government can pass things in Parliament like the DUP in Westminster, or the Greens in Holyrood, or making alliances with opposing parties and persuading people in the governing party to agree to get the necessary votes to sway government policy. What is absolutely pointless is having an MSP who refuses to engage with the governing party and can't get the voting numbers with the opposing parties or members to sway government policy. My view is Tom Wills stands the best chance of getting his policies acted on which is why he's getting my vote.

Tom Wills if elected will argue his case on our behalf for... "Free travel for foot passengers on all SIC ferries. A 20% Islander Discount on NorthLink cabins. A three-year freeze on NorthLink fares. Increase in peak-season mainland sailings to meet freight demand and reduce pressure on passenger capacity. Ensure a long term extension of the Air Discount Scheme." Speaking for myself, every single one of those changes would make a difference to me. My guess is the vast majority of Shetlanders are in the same boat. It's refreshing to see real policies and a good chance of them being delivered for a change.

They all seem to either resign as councillors or wait till their mandate runs out and not stand for re-election here's a list of those in the Scottish parliament who've had dual mandates.

I don't think you'll find many French, German, Italians, Danes, Spaniards, Dutch, Belgians, Irish etc etc saying their countries aren't independent, to suggest they've given up their independence to become members of the EU and that there's no difference between them and the nations within the UK imho is unbelievable. Unless of course Scotland remains in the EU who the UK government are currently desperate to get favourable trading agreements with. I just have to look at the likes of Denmark and Ireland (small European independent nations without the rich resources we enjoy),flourishing and having their interests protected and nurtured as EU members. The UK in comparison, as far as I'm concerned is taking backward steps with Brexit, harking back to the long gone days of Empire, becoming more anti foreigner and insular, not what I want for my kids to grow up with, sorry you disagree. I believe they've governed well, of course there are ppl like yourself who disagree, such is life in a democracy, people change their views, opinions and ideals all the time, democracy never stands still, I, for instance have voted Labour and Lib/dem in the past, thankfully we can express our views at the ballot box. or the opposite is true, their opponents are trying to use their stance on independence to undermine a genuine desire from Tom Wills to work for the benefit of Shetland.

@Windwalker post above ^^this one.. They're governing the country right now as we speak, they're delivering all the things mentioned above and more, of course they stand for an independent Scotland, it's hardly a secret. I do disagree with you and anyone else who tries to suggest that Scotland is some kind of thirld world basketcase economy who wouldn't be welcomed by the EU. I find it amusing when they get accused of always banging on about independence by their opponents who never seem to stop going on about it themselves. I read the last election leaflets, it was all about stopping the SNP and independence, not a policy in sight from any of them. You say they've forgotten to get on with governing the country but I can see with my own eyes the new houses and school being built, I know my youngest child has nearly double the amount of free nursery care my eldest got. I found out when I successfully quit smoking that free prescriptions meant I could get the expensive nicotine replacements without having to pay, every week I see university graduates from Shetland in the Times with great big smiles on their faces who unlike their counterparts in England haven't had to pay £9k a year for the privilege. I used to be unable to get a dentist, now no probs, any other healthcare myself and others I know have received has been first class, the list goes on and on.

Tom Wills and the SNP will be in the best position to deliver and maintain what's best for my family. Huge increase in free nursery places so me and the wife don't have to pay through the nose and work every hour God sends to pay for private childcare to make sure our kids get a good start in life. No tuition fees so the members of my family who haven't already benefited will be able to better themselves and go to university and not be 10's of thousands of £££ in debt when they finish their degrees. Free prescriptions so if anyone in my family gets sick they won't have to pay for medicine. Maintaining EU membership which I believe has been and will be good for my family. Tom Wills will also for the next 18 months at least, if elected, be in the enviable position of actually being in government and having the power to actually deliver on the things he's saying he wants to pursue for Shetland.

^^Meanwhile in the real world and back on topic, here's a clip from the Chief British Negotiator in Northern Ireland 1997-2007 on why the Irish backstop is essential and why a hard Brexit will threaten the peace process in Northern Ireland. He also mentions how Boris on his third day as PM has set back the negotiations to get Stormont back up and running

Goldmans Sachs did an assessment on Brexit Britain which pegged the cost to the UK economy since the leave vote at around £600 million per WEEK!! Thats before we've even left!! Heaven only knows what it'll be if we go full on Kamikase with a "No Deal" Brexit and crash our economy under Boris's State Circus clown show. I feel sorry for anybody who has to attempt to govern Scotland or any of the other devolved administrations when the crap hits the fan. Even though every single constituency in Scotland including Shetland voted resoundingly to remain in the EU that democratic cry has been completely ignored. (Now there's an advert for centralisation, funny how some who cry about it coming from Holyrood never bat an eyelid when it comes from Westminster.) We'll have to deal with the dogs dinner the Tories have served up and face many many more cuts and hardships to come, unless anybody is fool enough to believe Boris, who only seems to worry about the city of London, will suddenly start worrying about your average Joe outside the M25 and increase the block grant the devolved governments recieve when the economy gets flushed down the toilet.

^^Work started on the woefully inadequate North boats in 2001, blame our former LibDem MSP Jim Wallace, he was in government at the time as deputy First Minister no less. Or maybe the former Scottish Minister for Transport Tavish Scott could shoulder some of the blame, did he do anything about it when he was in charge? Do the Scottish Lib Dems have any policies? All they seem to do is sit pointlessly on the sidelines moaning about things they must've forgotten to do when they were in power.