SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has commented on the disharmony between UK Labour and their Scottish counterparts following the Home Office’s decision to slap down a Scottish visa scheme, that would have greatly benefited the Western Isles.

During the election campaign, Scotland’s Labour politicians and candidates had expressed their support of a Scottish Visa scheme. The scheme was intended help address the Western Isles’ labour shortages in hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare, following Westminster’s hard Brexit and anti-immigration policies.

Despite the UK Labour Government’s attempts to thwart the scheme, SNP MP Stephen Gethins is expected to seek an amendment to the Scotland Act to allow the Scottish Government to deliver the visa scheme.

Following the events, Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“Once again Scotland’s Labour MPs have proven they are powerless in getting Keir Stammer to deliver for Scotland. During the election, Scottish Labour claimed a Labour government was open to a Scottish Visa scheme to help the Western Isles. But just 100 days into office, this has proven to be another promise with no delivery.

“Despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union, the Western Isles continues to suffer some of the biggest setbacks due to Brexit. A Scottish Visa scheme would provide a means to tackle staff shortages such as in island hospitality and healthcare.

“I am grateful to Stephen Gethins for seeking to amend the Scotland Act to give the Scottish Government the powers to bring a Scottish visa scheme to Holyrood and I would urge Scotland’s Labour MPs to honour their word and back the amendment given their previous support for this scheme.

“Today is an incredibly embarrassing day for Scottish Labour, and the Western Isles continue to pay the price for this chaos. However, I believe it serves once again as a reminder that the best decisions for Scotland should be the decisions taken in Scotland and by the people of Scotland.”

ENDS