Orkney debates motion to become territory of Norway

BBC News:

Plans for the Orkney Islands to change its status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway are set to be debated by councillors.

A motion will go before the local authority on Tuesday to investigate “alternative forms of governance”.

Council leader James Stockan said Orkney doesn’t get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK.

But the prime minister’s spokesperson rejected a suggestion the islands could loosen its ties with the union.

Mr Stockton has urged councillors to back his idea to find new ways to get greater financial security and economic opportunities for Orcadians.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday, he said: “The mark of a good government is how it actually supports the periphery and the most disadvantaged.

“Our communities on the tiniest of our islands are the most difficult to serve and the way governments treat them is absolutely paramount to how well governments are doing.

“We do look with envy at the communities in Norway where they have a completely different approach to the remote and rural.”

Orkney Islands Council previously voted in 2017 to look at whether the islands could have greater autonomy.

While they wanted to have a “stronger voice”, they did not back full independence for Orkney.

Mr Stockan’s motion also cites British Crown Dependencies Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man as potential models to follow.

The council leader said among the issues being faced by islanders is an ageing ferry fleet.

He added the situation was “critical” because the ferries, which are older than the Western Isles fleet, were beginning to fail.

But despite Mr Stockan’s concerns, Downing Street dismissed the idea of Orkney breaking away from the UK.