Commenting on last week’s Scottish Budget and the internal ferry funding announcements, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“It is welcome news that the Scottish Government has belatedly listened to the appeals of island politicians of all political colours, albeit the timing is a little convenient. Anyone might suspect there was an election coming up."
“The Northern Isles have, for far too many years, been forced to keep the pressure on Scottish ministers to meet even their most basic commitments to our islands, and there is still more to do."
“Our internal ferry fleets are in serious need of investment, and the kind of capital costs that would involve will need the government in Edinburgh to step up and provide funding support."
“I just hope it won’t take as long for the next government to meet its commitments to our islands, and that it’s a government with a better record of building ferries than the current one”.
