Islands council leaders meet with government officials and Labour MSPs

The leaders of Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council and the Western Isles Council met with Scottish Government officials recently to continue discussions on the Our Islands Our Future initiative which is seeking greater powers for island areas.

The leaders also held their first formal talks with Scottish Labour. They met with shadow cabinet secretary for local government and planning, Sarah Boyack, and Labour Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart to discuss progress and seek Labour’s support for the aims of the campaign.

Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles Council, said: “We had a very useful series of meetings with Scottish Government officials and also took the opportunity to broaden discussions out to the main opposition party in Scotland through Sarah Boyack and David Stewart who were very interested in the campaign and how it can benefit communities in the islands.

“We have always maintained that we will seek to engage with all sides of the referendum debate and with politicians across Scotland, the UK and in Europe.

“We are continuing our discussions with the Scottish Government ministerial working group and with the secretary of state for Scotland’s office with a view to proposals being brought to the table during the summer.”

The next meeting of the Scottish Government ministerial working group is on February 17, in Shetland.