How winning changed an island

Fellow Shetlanders were outraged. They believed he had served his punishment and that there was no reason for him to be deported to Thailand - a country whose language he did not even speak. They argued that, having lived on the island with his sister, mother and stepfather since he was 13, he was well integrated into the community, popular, hard-working - and a great long-jump sportsman who had represented Shetland in competition. More to the point, he had a visa that should have allowed him to stay indefinitely.

Some 7000 islanders signed a petition demanding his release. Thousands attended public meetings, and local politicians became actively involved in opposing the deportation order. Sakchai's boss, James Johnston of the Shetland Recreational Trust, put up £2000 as bail. Eventually he was freed after a 10,000-signature petition, and a motion signed by 100 MPs, were lodged.

Davie Gardner, 51, the campaign spokesman, believes the campaign - and winning The Herald award - has changed Shetland for the better. Not only do they feel a greater sense of community, but their appreciation of the political process has become keener.

"There has been a tremendous increase in political awareness among the young," he says now, looking back. "Here was politics right on people's doorsteps, not just on TV.

"Political apathy among the young has disappeared. They are engaging with what's going on and they will vote in the upcoming Westminster election, whenever it happens, in greater numbers than ever before."

Shetland politicians Alistair Carmichael MP and Tavish Scott MSP were very involved in the campaign, says Gardner - and, when they spoke, the public meetings became like political rallies. "It was absolutely incredible to see children as young as six, seven and eight listening to what they had to say, and I think there was a realisation among the people that local politicians can really make a difference," he says. "They saw that these people have a purpose, and that there is a reason for the political process."

It was young people, he says, who really got the campaign going. "I always thought Sakchai's case was winnable, but that it would be won through the media and political process. However, what really galvanised the community was the petition organised by the young people, Sakchai's friends. Those 19, 20 and 21-year-old boys went door to door for signatures but they didn't have to pester anybody. People were actually asking them to come by. They got amazing results.

"Shetland realised it is still Shetland, which is incredibly gratifying."

The islanders also saw how heavy-handed the Home Office can be in its pursuit of foreign nationals with a criminal record. For his part, Makao puts his fireraising down to "a one-off moment of madness" caused by the sudden death of his stepfather and of his new-born child. He must now be on his best behaviour in order to get British citizenship, but he says: "I feel like a citizen already, although through my experience I've learned never to take anything for granted ever again.

"The best thing that could happen now is getting my British passport, but while I'm waiting it's business as usual and I'm trying for promotion at the Lerwick leisure centre where I work." It's clear he feels at home in Shetland, and in Scotland.

Gardner explains that Shetlanders know some sort of immigration policy is needed, but says there is still residual anger at the Home Office's approach and apparent uncaring attitude towards Makao. "If you mention the name John Reid then Home Secretary, he's still seen as the political Antichrist," he says. "He'll never regain the respect of this community, and is seen as associating with renegades and thugs. The Home Office has yet to admit it was wrong, far less apologise. It never demonstrated moral awareness. Local politics gained great kudos, while Westminster demonstrated just how ruthless and determined the government can be in pushing through policies it thinks the public wants.

"Getting our award was the icing on the cake. It remains a symbol to remind us that the wee guy can win from time to time. It serves as a reminder to young people that they can make a difference."

Indeed, winning the Herald award was the trigger for Gardner to make changes in his own life. He left his job as music development officer at Shetland Arts Trust to set up on his own as a music, events and PR manager. "The whole experience made me realise I could put my motivating and PR skills to better use - and I've never been happier," he says. "I'd put the Shetland for Sakchai campaign as one of the top five best things that have happened to me."

Your chance to nominate for 2007 THE Public Campaign of the Year Award, sponsored by Ukio Bankas, is given to a person or group using innovative and impressive methods to make their point. The winner does not have to succeed, though that certainly helps. This is more about the quality of the campaigning.

The award was introduced four years ago as part of The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards. In its first year, it was won by David and Ozlem Grimason, the couple whose young son Alistair was caught in the crossfire of a Turkish shootout while on holiday, and who took their anti-gun campaign back to Turkey and beyond.

The next year, the winners were the so-called Glasgow Girls - Drumchapel High School pupils who followed through on their indignation that friends, who were children of asylum seekers, were being taken from their homes in dawn raids.

This year, The Herald is again inviting readers to propose worthy successors to these public campaigners.

If you want to put someone forward, please e-mail politician@theherald.co.uk or write to Scottish Politician of the Year Awards, c/o Features Department, The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, G2 3QB, along with a brief explanation of why you think they are deserving.