
whalsa
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whalsa last won the day on November 30 2020
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da boannie isle (some o da time)
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George. reacted to a post in a topic: Self-detemination motion
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To anyone not aware, the below event is taking place online tomorrow night. It is free to attend and has some interesting speakers! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reflections-on-self-determination-an-island-perspective-tickets-128641960567?aff=ebdssbeac
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Frances144 reacted to a post in a topic: Class
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Ian Scott had to resign because of what he said in a public meeting that was totally unrelated to the self determination debate. He repeatedly accused officers of lying to him which is an actual breach of the code of conduct. If what he was saying was correct that was NOT the proper channels to raise such a complaint, he should have known better. Stephen Leasks problem was that one of the (many) points he made was that we get more than enough funding from Holyrood - this is at direct odds with the Councils official position and undermines the argument for fair ferry funding, an untenable position for someone in a leadership role. Neither have resigned as Councillors. They are still free to make whatever points they want and represent their constituents views.
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Shetlands average earnings may be a bit higher than the national average (around 20% IIRC) but this is generally more than offset by our high cost of living - 20-60% higher than mainland Scotland depending on what part of Shetland you are in. I actually think Shetland is as close to a "classless" society as you get in the UK. In my experience, people don't tend to socialise along lines of wealth. I would not be surprised to walk in to a pub and see a millionaire having a pint with someone on minimum wage for example.
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This is one clear reason why we need some form of self governance. Neither Westminster nor Holyrood understand or care about Shetland. Instead of wasting our energies arguing about who is worse we would be much better off running our own affairs and prioritising the things that matter to us.
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whalsa reacted to a post in a topic: Self-detemination motion
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Aware this is now well off topic but anyway; I think you are getting mixed up. The closest to the equator criteria, is for the big, geo-stationary orbit satellites and outer space missions that launch from the likes of French Guyana & Cape Canaveral. The market Unst is targeting is for smaller satellites into SSO (sun synchronous) and Polar orbits, which from my admittedly limited understanding, can be easier achieved from higher latitudes. These are not going to be giant rockets using highly toxic fuels, it is basically kerosene. The rockets will all launch north over the sea so will pose no danger to Sullom Voe, or Unst for that matter. Plenty of answers to be found here https://shetlandspacecentre.com/questions-and-answers/ The weather will be less of a problem than you suppose. Launches will take a matter of seconds and can presumably be done at any time of day or night.
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You need a mandate. Until such time as you have some policies which can be taken seriously and some credible candidates to implement them you won't get it. Until then it's a pipe dream. Yes, of course you need a believably workable blueprint, folk capable of implementing it, and a mandate to do so. I was just pointing out that 'the powers to do it' is far from 'all we need'. A mandate can only be awarded at the ballot box, not from within the council chamber. Shetlanders have been voting for more of the same for the past three generations, you'll need some convincing arguments to make them change. The previous 'Wir shetland' debacle has set you, and Stuart Hill's cause back by perhaps another generation. But, nonetheless good luck to you, I'll be the first to offer congratulations if you can pull it off. By mandate, I meant passing the motion will give the SIC a mandate to open talks with central government. A public vote of some form would have to take place at some stage, whether that be via referendum or a scheduled election. I think much of the arguments in favour are clear and haven't changed. The practicalities and how achievable the concept is needs to be better displayed. We must all think bigger IMO. Self governing island groups are far from unusual, they exist both within this country and as part of others or independently all over the world.
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O&G - yes, short to medium term. What do you mean though about other areas being more suitable for the space project? Unst was literally identified as the best site in the country. Do you mean nowhere in the UK is well suited, dont think that makes sense?
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Agreed. However, you could have lower taxes on folks wages etc without necessarily having to allow the likes of offshore banking. Shetland has abundant natural resources (fishing grounds, aquaculture, oil & gas, renewables, natural beauty etc) as well as well established lucrative industries and the potential to develop new ones (e.g. the space sector). The right domestic policies could safeguard the old industries and build up the new.
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All options should be investigated. With full fiscal autonomy, Shetland would control taxation yes. My first thoughts on that would be to lower income tax to combat the additional cost of living, fuel poverty etc rather than establish a tax haven. The points is the political and financial levers would exist locally to address the problems we face, develop new and existing industries and prevent decline and depopulation. Without said powers, I truly do fear for Shetlands future.
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The key point for me is it is the choice of those territories to provide that service. I don't see Shetlanders wanting that model. Furthermore, we have far more primary industries here and potentially a far biggger EEZ to utilise than the Crown Dependencies. I don't believe Shetland would need to be a tax haven at all.
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The mandate to achieve this "pipe dream" may not be as far away as some might believe.... https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/08/31/councillors-seek-to-explore-options-for-achieving-financial-and-political-self-determination-for-shetland/
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In the 2010 Input/Output study the conclusion was Shetlands net exchequer balance (how much we pay vs how much we get back) was in the black to the tune of roughly £80M if I recall correctly. The SIC is currently awaiting delivery of an updated version of this. So the old argument that an independent Shetland could not survive without a large Goverment subsidie annually has been turned on its head we pay far more in than we get back to the tune of £80 Million pounds each year [probably a lot more now considering that figure is from 2010 ]. Correct. That is also excluding any oil and gas revenue. However, being fully "independent" would come with many other significant costs and difficulties. So much so that I would not see that as a realistic (or perhaps even desirable) first step. The journey to self governance should be a process rather than something that will occur overnight, but we will get nowhere unless we try.
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In the 2010 Input/Output study the conclusion was Shetlands net exchequer balance (how much we pay vs how much we get back) was in the black to the tune of roughly £80M if I recall correctly. The SIC is currently awaiting delivery of an updated version of this.
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What is YOUR suggestion then? What is abundantly clear is that Shetland is in an unsustainable position which shows no sign of getting any better. Which vital services would you cut or abolish altogether to bring SIC spending down to the paltry amount it gets from central government? What do you suggest we do with our ageing infrastructure? Despite years of pleading and empty promises, Holyrood is yet to commit to funding the revenue let alone the capital for these expensive but essential services. Given the track record of Holyrood, SNP or previous governments, I have zero confidence that powers or resources would be forthcoming under an independent Scotland either. Shetlands best chance at survival and prosperity is to negotiate a fairer share of the collossal amount of revenue that flows south annually and to be unshackled from the one size fits all policies dreamt up in Brussels, Westminster and Holyrood by people who more than likely will never set foot in these islands.
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So no 200 mile economic exclusive zone for Shetland as a British Overseas Territory or Crown dependency then, the UK would never allow it, I'm very glad to get to the bottom of that very misleading "wir" Shetland claim. What? The BOTs control their full EEZs. For example, the Falkland Islands (with less than 3000 citizens) controls an EEZ of 212,693 square miles. A huge % of their GDP comes from selling fishing rights in this zone. This is based on UNCLOS, Shetland would be no different. I expect an autonomous Shetland would negotiate fisheries access and mineral revenues with the parent country.