The SNP has pledged to improve transport links to islands and empower their communities – but its sitting Lib Dem opponents in the Northern Isles have accused the party of centralisation and removing power.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said “investment and empowerment” are at the heart of her party’s 10-point manifesto for island communities as she campaigned in Lerwick with Shetland SNP candidate Danus Skene and islands minister Derek Mackay.
Ms Sturgeon said the SNP would put new powers over the Crown Estate and winter fuel payments directly to work for the benefit of island communities.
The Liberal Democrats, who held Orkney and Shetland in the last parliament, called on the SNP to match ferry fare cuts that have been provided to Scotland’s west coast and sort “the shambles of delayed Common Agricultural Policy payments for farmers and crofters”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We have protected discounts for island air travel, frozen ferry fares for the Northern Isles and are working with island communities on how to improve and protect ferry services.
“Having engaged extensively with stakeholders over the last couple of years, we’ll work with them to produce a national islands plan in the new session, and also bring forward an Islands Bill to reflect the unique opportunities and challenges of the island communities.
“Not only will our island communities benefit from 100% of the Crown Estate revenues that they raise, but they will have a greater say in how the assets of the Crown Estate are managed.
“We’ll ensure that the winter fuel payments, also being devolved to Holyrood, will be paid early to people who are ‘off-grid’ – making a huge difference to older people in remote areas.”
Lib Dem Shetland candidate Tavish Scott urged Ms Sturgeon to “cut our ferry fares by 50% as you’ve done on Scotland’s west coast” and “pay crofters when you promise, not months and months late”.
He said: “Start being flexible on fishing regulations rather than tying our boats to the pier in government red tape. Reverse your cuts to our schools that hit the education of Shetland’s next generation.”
Lib Dem Orkney candidate Liam McArthur said: “We want cuts to ferry fares in Orkney to match those on the west coast.
“We want the shambles of delayed farm payments sorted. We want broadband and mobile coverage to match other parts of the country. We want a budget that invests local services, including education, rather than cuts of £500 million.”