Government’s geography ‘faux pas’ called out at Westminster

The exclusion of the Northern Isles from maps of the UK in a government advertising campaign has rankled Orkney and Shetland’s MP.

The omission from the “GREAT” international brand campaign material has prompted Alistair Carmichael to pen a strongly-worded letter to cabinet office minister Steve Barclay MP.

In the adverts, seen in various locations including international airports and spotted by travellers from the isles, maps of the UK appear without Orkney or Shetland, but do include the Isle of Man, which is not part of the UK.

Mr Carmichael highlighted the many vital exporting businesses in the isles, including green technology producers, which have a strong interest in being featured in such advertising.

In his letter to Mr Barclay, Mr Carmichael said:

“As the Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland it was a matter of some surprise to me that our islands were not considered to be part of the UK for advertising purposes.

“The non-inclusion of the Northern Isles within maps of the UK – official or otherwise – is a point of ongoing frustration for our communities, as we strongly believe that we are as much an integral part of this country as any other area. Indeed my colleague, former Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, campaigned successfully to ensure that no maps produced for the Scottish Government would exclude the Northern Isles or relegate them to misleading locations on the map.

“Northern Isles businesses and organisations have had remarkable success in recent years in developing world-leading marine renewables technologies, selling whisky and other spirits globally and producing outstanding food products for the world market. It would seem only reasonable that the isles should appear on UK marketing just as any other part of the UK.”

Mr Carmichael previously raised the matter on the floor of the House of Commons with the Leader of the House last Thursday, asking: “Can we have a debate on the teaching of geography, especially to ministers and civil servants? Anyone passing through a UK airport at the moment will see adverts — doubtless quite expensive adverts — for the GREAT campaign, which features a map of most of the country.

“I say ‘most’ of the country, because that map does not include Orkney or Shetland. It does include the Isle of Man — which, last time I looked, was not part of this country.

“It is a bit insulting to the many businesses in Orkney and Shetland, which are at the forefront of leading technology exports, to see ourselves excluded by our own Government in this way. Will the Leader of the House fix it?”

Responding, the Leader of the House Mark Spencer MP said:

“I understand the point the right honourable gentleman makes. He is a huge advocate for Orkney and Shetland, and I know he will continue to ensure their voice is heard in this House. I will make sure that those Ministers responsible for the advertising campaign are aware of their faux pas.”