Commenting on the failure of a Scottish shipyard to secure the contract to build two new CalMac ferries, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“Many people will remember Nicola Sturgeon’s proud boast that ‘Ferguson is living proof of how the SNP stands up for Scotland and Scottish jobs’. As it turns out, the only shipyard workers who will benefit from this latest development will be those working in Turkey or Eastern Europe."
“What a contrast with the record of the UK Government which has supported Scottish shipyards with contracts for high-value high-tech warships such as the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. It shows that there is nothing wrong with the capabilities of our shipbuilding industry. What’s wrong is the culpable and incompetent mismanagement of the ferry procurement programme by the SNP."
“With an increasingly urgent need for a serious programme of ferry replacements across the country – including here in the Northern Isles – there will be little confidence that this will be delivered through Scottish shipyards and while supporting Scottish jobs."
“And this snub by SNP ministers will not be forgotten or forgiven by either those communities here in Scotland that could build our ferries, or those island and other communities which rely on them.”
