The Orkney Greens is the only political party contesting council seats in Orkney.

Fielding 5 candidates the Greens have published a manifesto and we caught up with Kristopher Leask who is standing in Kirkwall West & Orphir, to find out more.

Kristopher Leask said:

“We have a huge opportunity in Orkney to make the most of the transition to Net-Zero. This is our chance to do things differently, set ourselves up for the coming decades, and make Orkney a more prosperous and sustainable community.

“We are facing a crisis in housing whereby local people are priced out, and existing housing urgently needs retrofitted. A fresh approach is sorely needed to local government in Orkney instead of the constant firefighting and cover-up culture.

“I strongly believe that the Orkney Greens can reinvigorate the Councillor ranks who have largely lost the faith of the public.

“It’s possible in the post-election future to imagine a changed OIC with climate actions and the community at the heart of its decision-making.

“We need to shake-up a culture of backroom decision making and cover-ups and set out an ambitious vision for Orkney like the one outlined in our manifesto. In it are a range of policies, ideas, and ambitions detailing to folk exactly what we support and what our priorities are.

“There are huge opportunities for Orkney ahead, and it’s down to voters to decide whether they want five more years of the same old, same old, or a fresh approach and a reinvigorated OIC.”

The Orkney Greens have five candidates in the forthcoming OIC election Wards on 5 May:

• Maia Brodie: Stromness and South Isles
• Helen Woodsford-Dean: West Mainland
• Kristopher Leask: Kirkwall West and Orphir
• Eric Page: East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray
• John Ross Scott: Kirkwall East

A copy of the Orkney Greens manifesto can be downloaded here:

The elections on Thursday 5th of May will elect the councillors, in multi member wards, by listing your vote in order of preference e.g. 1,2,3….

The full list of candidates and wards are as follows: