Island life to the fore

Once again, island life has come to the forefront of Scottish politics.

With the Scottish government announcing its Islands Bill, Holyrood looks set to devolve more power to local communities, based on one of the most fundamental of factors - geography.

Talk of ‘island proofing’ can only be positive, but will the bill and its promises become a reality? Island proofing would include helping ensure that islands are represented by someone who lives locally.

Certainly, Arran would benefit immensely from a councillor based here, rather than one in another part of the North Ayrshire ward, on the mainland.

This was one of the biggest concerns raised by Arran residents when the Boundaries Commission consultation began, where exactly the opposite was on the table.

It looks like we would lose a ward councillor, very likely to be one based on the island, meaning less representation and power.

Be it devolved powers from the UK parliament to the Scottish parliament, from Holyrood to local authorities, from councils to community councils or from community councils to the people themselves, we all seem to want more ‘empowerment’ as the spin doctors call it. Perhaps this is a reaction from last year’s independence referendum.

Simply put, what we want is to be in control of and manage our communities in the best way possible, all the way from the Prime Minister to the man on the street.

The Scottish government has, at least, acknowledged that people living in Glasgow, Galashiels or Galston, have a distinct set of challenges in their daily lives than someone on Arran, Islay or Orkney. The Islands Bill, set out by minister for islands and transport, Derek Mackay, is proof of that.

‘Life on our islands can be very different to living on the mainland and I am keen to ensure that people who live there have their views properly represented, at a local and national level.’ he said.

Here’s hoping Mr Mackay’s rhetoric becomes a reality, and the people of Scotland - both on and off of our beautiful islands - get the representation they deserve.