Posted on 07/02/2023 2:52:12 PM PDT by Right Wing Vegan
A group of UK islands could become a territory of Norway under dramatic new proposals.
Orkney, off the northeast coast of Scotland, has a population of less than 23,000 people spread across its 20 inhabited islands and makes up one of the country's 32 council areas.
But next week a motion will go before the council, exploring "alternative forms of governance" including changing the archipelago's status within the UK or becoming a self-governing territory of the Scandinavian nation.
"We are looking for the very best position for future generations and our place in the world," council leader James Stockan told BBC Radio Scotland.
"The council will decide whether it supports this motion and from there we will take our time, because we don't want to do this emotionally."
Stockan said Orkney doesn't get fair funding under its current relationship with the UK, adding the nearby archipelagos of Shetland and the Western Isles received more funding per head to keep the same services running.
The councilman also said that while an in-depth examination of Orkney's finances had never been carried out, the islands had contributed more than they received back through north sea oil and that new ventures into renewable energy would contribute to the islands' economy.
Orkney's hopes for the future aren't just pinned on Norway, either – the motion also wants to see councillors consider following the example set by the British Crown Dependencies Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Stockan also urged the council to consider whether Orkney could secure another "Nordic connection" with the likes of Denmark or Iceland.
Orkney was previously held under Norwegian and Danish control, but became part of Scotland in 1472 as part of the wedding dowry of Margaret of Denmark, the future wife of King James III of Scotland.
"We were part of the Norse kingdom for much longer than we were part of the United Kingdom," Stockan continued, adding that the islands share a "deep cultural relationship" with Scandinavia.
In 2017, Orkney Islands Council voted on whether the islands should have greater autonomy and determined while Orcadians should have a "stronger voice", they weren't in favour of breaking away from the union altogether.
When asked about the proposal, the UK government said it had pledged £50million to level up the economies of Scotland's Islands, such as Orkney.
"We will always be stronger together as one United Kingdom, and we have no plans to change the devolution settlement," a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile the Scottish government said Orkney Islands Council would receive £89.7million to fund services in 2023-2024, with a spokesperson saying the devolved parliament was "committed to supporting island communities".
Orkney Islands Council will discuss the motion on Tuesday (July 4).
I wonder if the Neocons will also start a war there to get the islands back to the UK.
Maybe some of these ‘unknown’ islands will end up becoming Safe Spots when Britain becomes fully engulfed and economically encumbered by nonstop Muslim illegal immigration.
Trivia point: The diocese of the South Orkney islands is where Thomas the Tank Engine’s island gets its name, Sodor, from. Its creator was an Episcopalian priest who had seen the name of the Diocese of Sodor, and had known of no such place, nor could find such a place, only that it was not on the British mainland. So when he needed the name of a island that sounded familiar but could not be found, he went with Sodor. Eventually maps were created which imply that it lie between the Isle of Man and the city of Barrow-on-Furness, which itself is across a wide bay from Lancaster.
Had a work-colleague from Orkney. His dog once disappeared in a strong gale, never to be seen again
His wife was from Aberdeen. was as Scottish as... (fill in the blank with appropriate simile). Can’t imagine him or his family ever voting to leave Scotland.
Large royal naval base was at Scapa Flow. This is where a u-boat got in and sunk the Royal Oak with a huge loss of life.
The Orkneys are important to British economic zone claims to North Sea oil.
Norway can outbid Britain in terms of social spending because its oil revenues per capita are much greater.
But BobL, this one might not be linked to a war but maybe it will be used to channel funds for new NYC cab driver shirts for Zelenskyy.
Gisele Fetterman has been looking for a new supplier of Sweatshirts and Cargo pants in XXXLLL for her husband the senator. Maybe they can pencil in a few orders for Big John too. She says “Money is no object of concern. It’s not our money anyway!”
Sir Gareth of Orkney was my favorite knight in Howard Pyle’s Arthurian stories.
The Duchy of Fenwick and Peter Sellers comes to mind.
I would vote the same way.
Norway has more oil money per capita than anywhere except a few tiny oil state in the middle east like Qatar or Oman.
The government of Scotland is also totally nuts and destined for horrible results.
Also Norwegian food is better and the women are prettier
“But BobL, this one might not be linked to a war but maybe it will be used to channel funds for new NYC cab driver shirts for Zelenskyy.”
Nice!
I really think the "New Crusades" are going to be absolutely necessary, whether the world likes the idea or not.
Islam does not Join or cooperate with anyone. When they get the upper hand, you join them, or lose your head.
Sign me up.! :)
“Single Malt Norge” just doesn’t have the same ring to it...
Scapa Flow was also where the Imperial German Fleet was required to report as part of the settlement terms for World War I. At least one German captain committed suicide after scuttling his ship.
The UK fought a war over the Faulkland Islands in the South Atlantic which were of little economic importance but were part of the UK. They sure as hell will not give up their Islands in the North Sea.
Scotland is run by woke lunatics some of the worst. I used to be proud of my Scottish heritage. Glad l saw before it became a leftist wasteland
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