Election / Six candidates to contest Northern Isles seat
Brexit Party a late entry to the list of candidates
SIX CANDIDATES have thrown their hats into the ring to become the next MP for Orkney and Shetland.
As nominations for the 12 December general election closed at 4pm on Thursday, it emerged that the Brexit Party is fielding South Ronaldsay fisherman and former UKIP man Robert Smith as their candidate.
He joins four candidates from the main parties plus one independent campaigning on the single issue of ending the monarchy in the UK. All of those five had declared their intentions to stand before the close of nomination.
The six candidates, who all reside in Orkney, in alphabetical order:
- David Stephen Barnard – Independent.
- Alistair Carmichael – Scottish Liberal Democrats.
- Coilla Anne Drake – Scottish Labour Party.
- Jennifer Fairbairn – Scottish Conservative and Unionist.
- Robert Fraser Leslie – Scottish National Party (SNP).
- Robert Watt Smith – The Brexit Party.
Shetland News will again be offering all candidates space on the website to have their say. This is likely to be published on Friday – link.
The Althing debating society and the local BBC radio station, meanwhile, will both be hosting election hustings.
The Althing event will take place at Lerwick Town Hall on 22 November from 7pm, while the public has a chance to question the six candidates during a Radio Shetland event on 2 December at tMareel at 7pm.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
