Orkney discusses the proposal to turn it into the territory of Norway

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3 hours ago

Image source, Getty Images

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There have been calls for Orkney to become part of Norway

Plans for the Orkney Islands to change their status in the United Kingdom or even become an autonomous region of Norway are set to be discussed by councilors.

A proposal will be presented to the local authority on Tuesday to investigate “alternative forms of government”.

Council chairman James Stockan said Orkney was not receiving fair funding for its current relationship within the UK.

But the prime minister’s spokesman rejected the suggestion that the islands could ease up on their ties with the union.

Stockton urged council members to support his idea of ​​finding new ways to obtain greater financial security and economic opportunity for the Orcadians.

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

“Our communities on our smallest islands are the most difficult to service, and the way governments treat them is critical to how well governments do.

“We look with envy at the communities in Norway as they have a very different approach to remote and rural areas.”

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Council chairman James Stockan says Orkney does not receive fair funding within the UK

While they wanted a “stronger voice”, they did not support complete independence for Orkney.

Stockan’s proposal also points to the British Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man as possible models to follow.

The head of the council said that among the problems faced by the islanders was the aging of the ferry fleet.

He added that the situation was “critical” because the ferries, which are older than the Western Isles fleet, had begun to break down.

But despite Stockane’s misgivings, Downing Street rejected the idea of ​​Orkney separating from the United Kingdom.

‘United stronger’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “First of all, there is no mechanism for conferring dependency on the Crown or Overseas Territory status on any part of the United Kingdom.

“We have no plans to change the conveyance settlement we support for Orkney at £50m to develop the economic prosperity of the Scottish Isles, through the Deal of the Islands.

“But the government’s position is that the UK is stronger united.”

Orkney was formerly held under Norwegian and Danish control until it became part of Scotland in 1472.

The islands were used as collateral for the wedding dowry of Margaret of Denmark, future wife of King James III of Scotland.

The Scottish government said in 2023-24 that Orkney Islands Council would receive £89.7m to fund services, with a further £4.6m from the 10% council tax increase.

A spokesperson for the organization added that it was “committed to supporting the island communities”.

The Norwegian government declined to comment on the proposals.

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