Mark Cooper : Most important issue is attracting young people

During his recent visit to Shetland as prospective Labour candidate, Mark Cooper said,

"We need to try to help young people find jobs in the islands so that the islands still benefit from their schools, for example.

"If they go to Aberdeen to study, they should be able to find a job at home instead of having to move away through no choice of their own," he said.

"The big concern I have is that everything will become more focused on the mainland, Lerwick and Scalloway, because since the RAF left Unst the population has gone down considerably.

"Because it’s expensive to get up there, people are not choosing to go up there so the people who are there are in danger of losing access to vital services.

"For example, as the school population goes down it becomes more expensive to run the school.

"The thing I do not want is for the children’s education to suffer because they are the future of this community.

"They should be given the same chance as any other children in the islands to reach their full potential."

Labour chooses candidate for the Northern Isles contest

Orkney and Shetland Labour parties have chosen their candidate to contest the Orkney and Shetland seat at the next Westminster election.
After hustings in each area, local members have voted in Mark Cooper to be their representative.
Mr. Cooper (24) has strong links with Shetland.
His birth was registered in Tingwall as his family was living in Scalloway at the time.
His parents have since returned to live in Yell, where his father, David Cooper, is a local minister and his mother Veronica teaches Music.
Speaking after his selection, Mr. Cooper said, "I am delighted to be given the chance to fight an election in an area which is so special to me.
"I look forward to meeting as many people as I can and discussing common issues that affect not just their family but mine as well, such as the cost of living on the islands and Energy Creation."
Chair of Shetland CLP Gordon Thomson commented that Mark was an excellent candidate and that they looked forward to the Westminster contest.
Orkney CLP chairman Jim Lawson said: "I am delighted we have been able to attract a candidate with strong local connections and who is so enthusiastic about representing Labour in Orkney and Shetland."
Mark has been a Labour party member since 2005 and is currently the East of Scotland representative on the Scottish Young Labour Campaign Committee, as well as Youth and Student officer in his local party.
He enjoys watching sport especially football and Rugby and is a keen Aberdeen supporter.
He also enjoys travelling and participating in pub quizzes.