For hundreds of years, the Orkney Islands were a Norwegian possession. That could be the case again, according to a motion submitted to the regional government on the archipelago, reports BBC.
”"We were part of the Norwegian kingdom for much longer than we have been part of the UK," James Stockan, chairman of the Orkney regional government, told the BBC.
The Orkney Islands, located north of the Scottish mainland, were under Norwegian and Danish control from the 9th century until the 15th century, when they came under Scottish suzerainty.
The background is local dissatisfaction over a lack of funding from the mainland and, according to a motion to be considered by the local government this week, "alternative forms of governance" are to be investigated - including whether there is a possibility of a new "Nordic connection".
”"We are having a very tough time at the moment," says Stockan, who submitted the motion, and points out ferry operations to and from the islands as one of the heaviest expenditure items.
”In addition, we receive much less money from the Scottish Government per capita than the Shetland Islands and the Outer Hebrides, despite providing the same services. It is unsustainable.”
The Orkney Islands raised the issue of greater autonomy six years ago but do not seek independence. The motion also proposes that the special form of government of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey), as so-called Crown dependencies, should be investigated.
Source: TT-DI.SE
