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Orkney debates motion to become territory of Norway Orkney votes to explore 'alternative governance'
(about 2 hours later)
There have been calls for Orkney to become part of NorwayThere 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. Orkney councillors have voted to investigate alternative methods of governance amid deep frustrations over funding and opportunities.
A motion will go before the local authority on Tuesday to investigate "alternative forms of governance". Council leader James Stockan said the island had been "held down" and accused the Scottish and UK governments of discrimination.
Council leader James Stockan said Orkney doesn't get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK. His motion led to media speculation that Orkney could leave the UK or become a self-governing territory of Norway.
But the prime minister's spokesperson rejected a suggestion the islands could loosen its ties with the union. It was supported by 15 votes to six.
It means council officers have been asked to publish a report to Orkney's chief executive on options of governance.
This includes looking at the "Nordic connections" of the archipelago and crown dependencies such as Jersey and Guernsey.
A further change which would see the revival of a consultative group on constitutional reform for the islands was accepted without the need for a vote.
Orkney proposals to become territory of NorwayOrkney proposals to become territory of Norway
Orkney steps up calls for more autonomyOrkney 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. On Monday, the prime minister's spokesperson rejected the suggestion the islands could loosen its ties with the union.
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. Mr Stockan urged councillors to back his idea to find new ways to get greater financial security and economic opportunities for Orcadians.
"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. Speaking to councillors on Tuesday, he said the motion was "not about us joining Norway".
"We do look with envy at the communities in Norway where they have a completely different approach to the remote and rural." He added: "I say it's time for government to take us seriously and I say it's time for us to look at all the options we've got.
"There is a far bigger suite of options here - this could even be that we could get our money direct from the Treasury in London and look after our own future.
"We have been held down and we all know most of what I could say today in terms of discrimination against this community from governments. We all know how much less we get compared to other island groups."
Council leader James Stockan says Orkney does not get fair funding within the UKCouncil 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 councillors 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. Currently, most of the island's 21 councillors sit as independents - two are Greens.
The council leader said among the issues being faced by islanders is an ageing ferry fleet. Mr Stockan has said an ageing ferry fleet is among the issues being faced by islanders.
He added the situation was "critical" because the ferries, which are older than the Western Isles fleet, were beginning to fail. He previously told the BBC 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. His concerns were widely shared by other councillors, however some raised issues with self-governance, such as the cost of carrying out such investigations.
'The UK is stronger united' Cllr Steven Heddle also mentioned disadvantages including having to buy back the sea bed, and tuition fees for students wishing to study in Scotland.
He called Mr Stockan's efforts "politics of grievance" and said that every council felt hard done by, citing roads in Edinburgh that were "worse" than Orkney's despite the council having far more funding.
'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 TopicsRelated Topics
OrkneyOrkney
NorwayNorway