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| Orkney debates motion to become territory of Norway | Orkney debates motion to become territory of Norway |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There have been calls for Orkney to become part of Norway | There have been calls for Orkney to become part of Norway |
| Plans for the Orkney Islands to change its status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway are set to be debated by councillors. | Plans for the Orkney Islands to change its status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway are set to be debated by councillors. |
| A motion will go before the local authority on Tuesday to investigate "alternative forms of governance". | A motion will go before the local authority on Tuesday to investigate "alternative forms of governance". |
| Council leader James Stockan said Orkney doesn't get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK. | Council leader James Stockan said Orkney doesn't get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK. |
| But the prime minister's spokesperson rejected a suggestion the islands could loosen its ties with the union. | But the prime minister's spokesperson rejected a suggestion the islands could loosen its ties with the union. |
| Orkney proposals to become territory of Norway | Orkney proposals to become territory of Norway |
| Orkney steps up calls for more autonomy | Orkney steps up calls for more autonomy |
| Mr Stockton has urged councillors to back his idea to find new ways to get greater financial security and economic opportunities for Orcadians. | Mr Stockton has urged councillors to back his idea to find new ways to get greater financial security and economic opportunities for Orcadians. |
| Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, he said: "The mark of a good government is how it actually supports the periphery and the most disadvantaged. | Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, he said: "The mark of a good government is how it actually supports the periphery and the most disadvantaged. |
| "Our communities on the tiniest of our islands are the most difficult to serve and the way governments treat them is absolutely paramount to how well governments are doing. | "Our communities on the tiniest of our islands are the most difficult to serve and the way governments treat them is absolutely paramount to how well governments are doing. |
| "We do look with envy at the communities in Norway where they have a completely different approach to the remote and rural." | "We do look with envy at the communities in Norway where they have a completely different approach to the remote and rural." |
| Council leader James Stockan says Orkney does not get fair funding within the UK | Council leader James Stockan says Orkney does not get fair funding within the UK |
| Orkney Islands Council previously voted in 2017 to look at whether the islands could have greater autonomy. | Orkney Islands Council previously voted in 2017 to look at whether the islands could have greater autonomy. |
| While they wanted to have a "stronger voice", they did not back full independence for Orkney. | While they wanted to have a "stronger voice", they did not back full independence for Orkney. |
| Mr Stockan's motion also cites British Crown Dependencies Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man as potential models to follow. | Mr Stockan's motion also cites British Crown Dependencies Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man as potential models to follow. |
| The council leader said among the issues being faced by islanders is an ageing ferry fleet. | The council leader said among the issues being faced by islanders is an ageing ferry fleet. |
| He added the situation was "critical" because the ferries, which are older than the Western Isles fleet, were beginning to fail. | He added the situation was "critical" because the ferries, which are older than the Western Isles fleet, were beginning to fail. |
| But despite Mr Stockan's concerns, Downing Street dismissed the idea of Orkney breaking away from the UK. | But despite Mr Stockan's concerns, Downing Street dismissed the idea of Orkney breaking away from the UK. |
| 'The UK is stronger united' | 'The UK is stronger united' |
| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesperson said: "First and foremost there is no mechanism for the conferral of Crown Dependency or Overseas Territory status on any part of the UK. | Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesperson said: "First and foremost there is no mechanism for the conferral of Crown Dependency or Overseas Territory status on any part of the UK. |
| "We have no plans to change the devolution settlement we are supporting Orkney with £50m to grow the economic prosperity of the Scottish islands, through the islands deal. | "We have no plans to change the devolution settlement we are supporting Orkney with £50m to grow the economic prosperity of the Scottish islands, through the islands deal. |
| "But the Government's position is that the UK is stronger united." | "But the Government's position is that the UK is stronger united." |
| Orkney was previously held under Norwegian and Danish control until it became part of Scotland in 1472. | Orkney was previously held under Norwegian and Danish control until it became part of Scotland in 1472. |
| The islands were used as security for the wedding dowry of Margaret of Denmark, the future wife of King James III of Scotland. | The islands were used as security for the wedding dowry of Margaret of Denmark, the future wife of King James III of Scotland. |
| The Scottish government said in 2023-24 Orkney Islands Council would receive £89.7m to fund services, with an extra £4.6m from an increase in council tax by 10%. | The Scottish government said in 2023-24 Orkney Islands Council would receive £89.7m to fund services, with an extra £4.6m from an increase in council tax by 10%. |
| A spokesperson added it was "committed to supporting island communities". | A spokesperson added it was "committed to supporting island communities". |
| The Norwegian government declined to comment on the proposals. | The Norwegian government declined to comment on the proposals. |
| If Orkney Islands Council merely wanted to draw public attention to the challenges it faces, it could not have done so more effectively. | |
| The mere suggestion it could seek crown dependency status like the Channel Islands or even look at becoming part of Norway grabbed headlines well beyond Scotland. | |
| But, of course, there is absolutely no prospect of Orkney leaving the rest of Scotland nor of it leaving the UK by itself. | |
| Orkney has been part of Scotland since the 15th Century. Orkney Islands Council is in exactly the same constitutional position as Scotland's 31 other councils - it is an administrative body with a defined set of powers and responsibilities which can potentially be changed by the Scottish government . | |
| To say the least, it would certainly be interesting to contemplate the response from Holyrood if the UK government were to let an island group within Scotland decide its own constitutional future and potentially leave the United Kingdom. | |
| However, there are certainly arguments worthy of examination that the island authorities - Orkney, Shetland and Eilean Siar (Western Isles) - should have a range of powers and responsibilities not afforded to mainland councils. | |
| There is also a long-running debate about whether the formula used to distribute Scottish government money between each of the country's 32 councils is fit for purpose. Over the years, a number of councils have claimed they are not getting a fair deal. | |
| It is worth noting that support for devolution in 1997 and independence in 2014 was relatively low in both Orkney and Shetland. In both campaigns, opponents claimed the interests of the central belt could overshadow those of the most remote parts of Scotland. | |
| There is possibly a sense too that some in remote communities and islands have felt overlooked by some national politicians and are now asserting themselves. Take the recent row over Highly Protected Marine Areas or the concerns on the west coast islands about the ongoing problems at the ferry operator Calmac. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Orkney | Orkney |
| Norway | Norway |