During the first independence referendum in 2014, the leaders of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Labour, and the Scottish Tories all signed a pledge which read: “Power lies with the Scottish people and we believe it is for the Scottish people to decide how we are governed.”

Robert Leslie said that in recent years the same parties have ditched this principle – preferring instead to ignore Scottish election results and deny Scotland’s right to decide on independence.

Celebrating St Andrew’s Day by highlighting the declaration that folk can sign to pledge support for their right to decide Scotland’s future, Robert Leslie said that regardless of views on independence itself, he hoped everybody could agree that Scotland’s future must be Scotland’s choice.

Robert Leslie said:

“But since then, the pro-UK parties seem determined to ignore the decisions of the Scottish people.

“I respect that people and politicians across Scotland have differing views on independence – that’s exactly how it should be.

“But what we need to be clear on is that Scotland, like all nations, must have the right to decide our own future.

“We can disagree on independence, but surely, we must agree on democracy.

“That’s why I have emailed the declaration to Alistair Carmichael and Liam McArthur today, and am calling on them to make public their support for Scotland’s right to decide, as their parties did in 2014.

“Independence will be the defining issue of next year’s election, so we need to be clear on where our politicians stand. Do they agree that folk here in Orkney and across Scotland have the right to decide, or are they happy to continue to deny Scottish democracy just like their London bosses?

Mr Leslie said he would encourage anyone who feels strongly that the people of Scotland should have the right to decide their own future to sign the declaration at https://www.yes.scot/signup/