Island leaders congratulate new Secretary of State for Scotland

The leaders of Scotland’s three island authorities have written to Alastair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, congratulating him on his appointment as Secretary of State for Scotland.

The leaders of Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council and  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are heading to Westminster next week, to meet with the new Secretary of State to discuss the ‘Our Islands – Our Future’ initiative.

Their campaign’s aim is to make sure that, with significant constitutional change ahead, the islands fulfil their potential in a wide range of issues.

The three authorities launched the initiative in June, and followed it up with a highly successful conference in Kirkwall last month.

Speaking on behalf of the three authorities, leader of Shetland Islands Council Gary Robinson said this is a significant announcement: “The appointment of an island MP to such a key role in the UK government has enormous potential benefits for our campaign. We’re continuing to develop  our relationships with Westminster, Holyrood and Brussels, and very much look forward to our first meeting with the new Secretary of State early next week.

“We hope to work closely with him in the months to come on a wide range of issues which are key to the future of Scotland’s island communities.”