Orkney Island. Photo. BBC.
The Orkney Islands are considering leaving the United Kingdom and become a self-governing territory of Norway, over claims they’re being ‘failed dreadfully’ by Westminster and Holyrood.
A motion to look at ‘alternative forms of governance’ is set to go before Orkney Islands Council on Tuesday, 4th July 2023.
Council leader James Stockan said Orkney does not get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK.
“We are denied the things that other areas get like RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) for ferry fares. And the funding we get from the Scottish government is significantly less per head than Shetland and the Western Isles to run the same services – we can’t go on as we are.”‘
He is to look at Crown Dependencies like the Channel Islands and overseas territories such as the Falkland Islands.
BBC reports that Council leader James Stockan suggested another possible future could be like the Faroe Islands, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.
Writing by Chinasa Ossai; Editing by Julian Osamoto