The Orkneys are dissatisfied with the economy and British rule. Can Norway be the solution?
If the proposal, which is up for consideration next week, becomes a reality, you do not need to leave Norwegian territory to visit the World Heritage-listed Ring of Brodgar. Photo: Mark Ferguson/Scottish Viewpoint/Scottish Viewpoint
sea view
Not since 1472 have the Orkney Islands in Great Britain been under Norwegian rule. Now it could become a reality if the archipelago’s supreme leader gets what he wants.
On Tuesday next week, the archipelago’s council will look at alternative ways of governing.
Becoming part of Norway, but with its own self-government, is one of the possibilities to be considered, according to several British media.
Not well enough financed
Orkney is the smallest region in Scotland. The archipelago is represented in the Scottish Parliament and governed by a local regional council, the Orkney Islands Council.
Council leader James Stockan is dissatisfied with the funding from the UK and will, accordingly BBC have said that “they are really struggling at the moment”.
– We know that for the past 40 years we have contributed through oil from the North Sea and the dividend we get back is not enough to drive us further, he says according to the British state channel.
Stockan is also said to have pointed out that they have been subject to the Kingdom of Norway much longer than they have been subject to Great Britain.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited the Scottish archipelago during an official visit in 2017. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB
Wants a different form of management
Back in 2017, the Orkney council voted on how they should get better self-government. Goals for full liberation did not receive support, but they came to an agreement that strengthening their own interests was necessary.
It was also decided that what should be done to achieve a greater degree of independence should be investigated.
Council leader Stockan has now also pointed to the Faroe Islands outside Iceland as an example to follow. They are self-governing and subject to Denmark.
During the UK’s 2016 EU referendum, a clear majority of Orkney residents would remain part of the European Union.
Still traces of Norway
Norwegians began to settle on the Orkney Islands around the 8th century, according to several sources. In 1492, the Danish king Christan I had to give up both Orkney and Shetland due to debt.
From the Viking Age to the Middle Ages, Norwegian was spoken on the Orkney Islands. In the 16th and 18th centuries, Norse existed on the islands, together with Low Scots. Many Norwegian names and words still live on in the Orkney dialect.
Council leader James Stockan has said that several people he meets on the street have asked “when they will become part of Norway again”, according to the BBC.
2023-07-02 19:40:24
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