Orkney Islands Council has backed looking at alternative forms of governance, including becoming part of Norway.
Leader James Stockan’s motion for officials to compile a report on greater autonomy was supported earlier today.
Options include exploring the islands’ “Nordic connections” or seeking British overseas territory status, similar to Jersey or the Isle of Man.
During a debate, Stockan accused the UK and Scottish Governments of “discrimination” as he proposed a motion to look at different types of governances for the islands.
Options, the motion said, should include “Nordic connections, Crown Dependencies and other options for greater subsidiarity and autonomy”.
Stockan told the meeting: “I have been a councillor now for 20 years, but for the last number I’ve been in negotiation with our Governments to get what I believe is an equitable solution of position for the Orkney Islands in funding and in the opportunity that we have in and around these islands to benefit not just us, but to benefit our neighbours, to benefit our nation and to benefit the world.
“But we have been restricted in every conversation, we have been held down, and what I would say is we all know most of what I could say with regard to the discrimination that we’ve had against this community from Governments in the funding settlement we have.”
Councillors voted for the motion.
An amendment attempting to block the motion was defeated by 15 votes to six.
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