By Daily Mail Reporter. Islanders on Orkney are considering their options after the Brexit vote - including breaking free from Scotland and the UK to become independent. Many residents have hoped for greater autonomy from the Scottish Government in the past, and were promised more powers in the event of Scottish independence.
And now more than half of Orkney's councillors have forced a motion demanding an investigation into possible self-determination for the islands after Brexit. Orkney islanders are considering breaking away from Scotland after councillors forced a motion demanding an investigation into possible self-determination. The islanders overwhelmingly backed remaining in the UK and the European Union at both referendums in and A motion passed by 13 of Orkney Islands Council's 21 members has demanded the chief executive compile a report considering 'whether the people of Orkney could exercise self-determination if faced with further national or international constitutional changes, or indeed to decide if more autonomy might be beneficial for the wellbeing of Orkney.
The motion also says the report should look at what would be needed to 'consider such opportunities for greater autonomy or self-determination' with both the UK and Scottish Governments. Graham Sinclair, an independent councillor who drafted the motion, said: 'I think the islands are more significantly different - both historically and culturally - from the rest of the country. It is to consider whether there is the possibility of constitutional changes.
Mr Sinclair said that an opinion poll might be carried out to determine how people living on the islands feel about the issue. People marching with EU flags and pro-Europe slogans on placards during a March for Europe protest against the Brexit vote in London in September last year. He added: 'I don't have any preconceptions about where it might lead. Steven Heddle, leader of Orkney Islands Council, which is run by an independent group of councillors, previously supported Scottish independence.
The declaration set out greater powers for the islands in the event of Scottish independence. Orkney, together with Shetland, were historically ruled by Norway and only came under control of the Kingdom of Scotland in and respectively. Share this article Share. Share or comment on this article: Orkney Islands 'seeks independence from Scotland' after Brexit vote e-mail Most watched News videos People in Saudi Arabia run amid explosion at service station Tourists and staff flee the island after volcano erupts Footage shows people fleeing scene after year-old gunned down CCTV shows seriously ill Guatemalan teenager in Texas holding cell Girl unfazed by a reversing car crashing into a pole Confronting moment a man pulls a knife during a massive brawl Woman pulls stream of shoplifted clothing from her handbag and skirt McDonnell admits that anti-Semitism in Labour could affect election Time-lapse shows the White Island Volcano in New Zealand erupt Queen Elizabeth II horseback riding throughout her reign NZ PM Jacinda Adern reveals people were on White Island Joe Biden has heated spat with voter over Ukraine on campaign trail.
