Ready to hold government to past commitments – Carmichael sworn in as Northern Isles MP
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today [Tuesday 9th July] been sworn in as a full member of the new parliament. Mr Carmichael reiterated his priorities in representing the Northern Isles, including the full delivery of past government commitments on the Towns Fund and Fair Isle ferry funding, progress on renewing island transport links, concentrated action on fuel poverty and improving digital connectivity.
Speaking after being sworn in, Mr Carmichael said:
“I look forward to picking up where I left off in my work for the isles, with surgeries to be organised, offices to come back up to full speed, and no doubt plenty of business on the parliamentary agenda.
“The progress we made on issues important to the isles under the previous government was hard won. At a minimum we have the right to hold the incoming Labour government to those same commitments – but this surely has to be a moment to push for more, and for the UK government to recognise the unique strategic importance of the Northern Isles.
“Some of these aims – such as delivering in full the Towns Fund package for Orkney, the Fair Isle ferry funding for Shetland or promised support for future industries like EMEC and the Saxavord Space Centre – ought to be a straightforward ask of the government. Others, like the renewal of our transport links including both tunnels and ferries, properly tackling fuel poverty in the isles and ensuring the resilience of our digital connections, will require determined effort over the long term. I look forward to putting our communities’ case to the heart of government in the coming months.”