Tim Reid from the BBC has just said on Twitter
This is a good start. This won't help those far flung communities in Galloway or Sutherland or Wester Ross where, believe me, having a car is essential, but let's hope that there will be further applications.
This is something Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon has been working on and campaigning for ever since he was elected in 2009.
This will hopefully result in a 5p per litre cut in petrol and diesel prices.
Already Lib Dem island MPs have welcomed this decision. Alistair Carmichael said:
This is the single most important step on the road towards reducing the cost of petrol and diesel in the Isles. “I am delighted that we have got this consent and hope that the remaining hoops will be a formality to jump through. “This is Liberal Democrats delivering in government what they promised in opposition.”
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott showed how this will help the communities:
“Last week, Shetland motorists endured a 4p rise in one day at some Island petrol stations. The difference between us and the mainland of Scotland is 20p.
“Alistair Carmichael deserves credit for pushing this derogation so hard in the UK Government and it will help.
“Shetland also needs a full inquiry into the monopoly that GB Fuels operates and the consequences of that on local prices. That is the next stage, and we need that action which recognises that the car is a necessity of life not a luxury in the Northern Isles.
The European Council has to approve the change but that should just be a formality.
We know that this didn't happen with Labour in Government, and it certainly wouldn't with the Conservatives alone. This is another example of Liberal Democrats making a difference.
