SHE is a 25-year-old Shetlander and senior economic adviser to the SNP’s Westminster group, who is having her first crack at a parliamentary seat; he is a 51-year-old one-time Scottish Secretary who, in court, was branded a liar for his role in the leaking of a memo seeking to discredit Nicola Sturgeon.
Yet the battle for the Orkney and Shetland constituency involving Miriam Brett and Alistair Carmichael is far from a foregone conclusion. Two years ago Carmichael saw his majority slump by more than a fifth to just 817 – with the SNP second.
Brett, who was born and raised in Shetland, previously worked in policy research and played a prominent part in the 2014 referendum. She and Labour candidate Robina Barton are the first female candidates in the constituency in 20 years. Jamie Halcro Johnston is standing for the Tories and Robert Smith for Ukip.
“It was a privilege to grow up in such a unique and beautiful community, and I cannot think of a greater honour than representing my home constituency in Parliament,” said Brett. “People across these isles have needlessly been subjected to harmful, counterproductive cuts under both the LibDem-Conservative coalition and the current UK Government.
“We need only to look at the food bank usage across these isles to see the damage that this has caused. The SNP is the only opposition to have consistently voted against austerity, and I will use my voice at Westminster to unapologetically reject these cuts.”
Brett added that the realities of a “hard Brexit” posed a real threat to communities – from EU citizens living in the Northern Isles to the hardship it could cause for local businesses.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel