Community Leaders Rally for Improved Connectivity in Shetland

A recent resilience forum held at the Islesburgh Community Centre on November 21, 2023, addressed ongoing issues with broadband connectivity in Shetland. The meeting was organized by local politicians Alistair Carmichael and Beatrice Wishart, drawing significant community attendance to discuss the impact of three major outages on the Shefa-2 cable in recent years.

Residents of Shetland have faced severe disruptions, with two outages occurring this year, including one in October, alongside a previous incident in autumn 2022. These incidents left hundreds without internet access, affecting work, education, and communication with vulnerable family members.

During the forum, Emma Macdonald, who attended as a local representative, highlighted the detrimental effects of these outages on the community. She noted, “The public forum was incredibly impactful. Some of the stories islanders shared were harrowing – people who were cut off from their work, families unable to contact vulnerable relatives, businesses losing income, and individuals unable to reach essential services.”

The urgency for a reliable digital infrastructure was echoed by both Carmichael and Wishart. Carmichael stated, “This was a positive and constructive summit, and I am grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the meetings. This is not the end of the process but the start of it, and we will be following up the plans and proposals made in the coming days and weeks.” Wishart stressed the importance of treating digital connectivity as a vital utility, essential for modern life.

Both Carmichael and Wishart have committed to further advocacy for better digital services in Shetland. The community’s frustrations have been compounded by a perception that the UK and Scottish governments have inadequately addressed local needs.

Macdonald, who has served on the Shetland Islands Council for eight years and has been its leader since 2022, expressed a strong commitment to local governance. She explained, “From the national care service to education, there has been a constant need to fight to ensure decisions are made locally.” Her extensive experience includes running a local café and confronting issues of centralization in decision-making that often excludes rural communities.

The upcoming elections for the Scottish Parliament are seen as pivotal for Shetland. Macdonald’s candidacy is particularly noteworthy as she has actively condemned governmental policies that have negatively impacted local industries, including fishing. She criticized the allocation of only 8% of the UK’s fisheries fund to Scotland, despite the fact that 60% of the UK’s fish are caught in Scottish waters. Similarly, the Scottish government has allocated merely 5% of its fisheries fund to Shetland since 2020, despite the islands producing over 20% of Scotland’s total catch.

Macdonald’s proactive stance contrasts sharply with her competitors, John Erskine and Hannah Mary Goodlad, who are associated with parties accused of centralizing power away from local communities. Many residents believe that their interests have been sidelined by distant governments.

As the forum concluded, there was a palpable sense of hope among attendees. Many expressed optimism that with the right leadership and community engagement, Shetland can secure better representation and vital improvements in connectivity and local governance.

The Liberal Democrats, with a history of supporting local interests since 1950, are viewed as a reliable choice for many voters. With Macdonald’s strong reputation and demonstrated commitment to the community, she is positioned as a key candidate for those looking for effective representation in the upcoming elections.

The discussions at the resilience forum mark a significant step towards ensuring that Shetland’s unique needs are recognized and addressed, paving the way for a more connected and resilient future.