Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has criticised comments made by Anas Sarwar SNP, the leader of Scottish Labour, at First Minister’s Questions yesterday , which suggested that the replacement vessel for Calmac’s MV Lord of the Isles should be made by direct award to Ferguson’s, apparently without any real discussion of that idea with island communities.
Allan said that, wherever the ferry was built, heed had to be taken of islanders’ priorities, calling Labour’s comments in Parliament “utterly tone deaf to the local concern to ensure a vessel is built in a reasonable timescale”.
Earlier this week, the GMB Union published an open letter, signed by local representatives from Port Glasgow and the surrounding area, calling for the Scottish Government to give a direct award to the Ferguson Marine shipyard.
In response, the South Uist Business Impact Group issued a statement, which highlighted their sympathy for the yard’s workforce, while making it clear that island lives, livelihoods, and long-term sustainability must also be considered.
Alasdair commented:
“Island communities have been clear that what matters most is that new ferries are delivered on time, on budget, and fit for purpose.
“A thorough, fair and transparent process is the wayto decide who builds the new vessel for the Lochboisdale run. That may well prove to be a Scottish shipyard, but as ministers indicated yesterday, is only through a process that listens to local priorities that islanders can have confidence their lifeline services are being properly safeguarded.
“It is very unwise of Labour to pre-empt such a process, and islanders’ views do not even seem to feature in their current posturing on this issue. Labour’s comments appear more focused on political point-scoring than on listening to the voices of those who will ultimately rely on the vessel.
“When it comes to ferries, we must put island communities first. That means ensuring procurement is based on competence, delivery, and value for money — not on political slogans.”
