MP aims to maintain ‘Our Islands’ momentum

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has offered support to the three Scottish island councils in their campaign for more community power.

His comments come after the Our Islands Our Future (OIOF) delegation argued their case with government ministers and officials in London.

Mr Carmichael said: “The round of meetings between the island councils and the variety of Whitehall Departments has made a good start in pushing our agenda in Whitehall. Having started that dialogue we now need to keep the momentum of it. The councils will come forward with their next steps and I shall continue to work with them.

“One early change that I have been able to make has been the establishment of an ‘islands desk’ in the Scotland Office. This will be a single point of contact that will ensure that the islands’ case is addressed by the right Whitehall department. I also hope that this will establish a body of expertise in Whitehall on islands’ issues which has been a little lacking in the past.

“I shall remain part of the OIOF campaign as it develops.”