The rural and island tactical vote: 3 Orkney councillors share their View on tactical Voting.

There has been broad support from academics and political commentators in the Scottish press for the Holyrood poll projections made by Strathclyde pollster, Prof John Curtice.

The most controversial aspect of the Curtice analysis concerns tactical voting advice to those who support Scottish independence. He suggests that, for nationalists, casting the second vote – that is, the regional vote – for SNP is a wasted vote, since SNP, having picked up most of the constituency seats across each of the regions of Scotland, is unlikely to win proportionally-biased regional seats. Supporters of independence would be better advised, he says, to vote for alternative parties which support independence, such as the Greens and Rise. Nicola Sturgeon apparently disagrees!

Highlands and Islands region would be the only exception to this tactical approach. The Liberal-Democrat effect in Orkney and Shetland is likely to reduce the SNP constituency haul in the region to a disproportionately low representation with respect to the votes cast and so SNP is likely to take two regional seats of the seven up for grabs. By the same token, Lib-Dems are likely to take no regional seats. This is pretty much what happened in the 2011 Holyrood election.

We advocate a different tactical approach in the Highlands and Islands. There is no party which is devoted specifically to the interests of the rural and island areas. Our political class is of the lowlands, born and bred. The regional list candidates are mostly party hacks, drafted in from headquarters. Some have a glimmering of an understanding that the rural and island areas have particular needs and interests, but time after time we have foisted upon us one-size-fits-all legislation which is tailored to the urban needs of the central belt.

The island authorities have made significant progress in explaining and getting recognition of island issues under the umbrella of the Our Islands Our Future initiative. This is work in progress, however, and it remains to be seen how much will be delivered. On the Curtice projections it is almost certain that SNP will be returned to government and have the opportunity to complete this work. Pressure is needed from all sides to ensure the promise of this initiative is realised.

Even so, OIOF is not the whole story by any means for Highlands and Islands since it is narrowly focussed, as realistically it should be, on only some of the interests of exclusively island authorities. It gives a hint at what could be possible in making localism a reality across the region.

There is an opportunity at this election to vote tactically for James Stockan as a Highlands and Islands MSP in order to bring a fresh voice to Holyrood, the voice of someone who DOES appreciate the special interests of our rural and island communities

from personal experience, and has the energy and clout to promote them vigorously. Now, that would not be a wasted vote in any sense – no matter what your politics!