Salon owner hits out at MP
A business owner who closed her doors three times after following Covid rules is outraged that MP Margaret Ferrier has not resigned.
Lisa Blair (above) has been forced to self-isolate on a number of occasions, and abiding by the rules has cost her money during these trying times.
The Meikle Earnock woman voted for Ferrier as her MP. She runs Luma Nail and Brow Studio in High Blantyre and has had to close the business three times this year on safety advice related to self-isolating.
And Lisa now says it’s unfair that the representative for Rutherglen and Hamilton West remains in her post after her Covid rules breach.
Lisa doesn’t want the shamed MP to represent her any more and told the Advertiser: “I still can’t believe she won’t resign. We’re all trying to do the right thing but politicians seem to think there’s a different rule for them which is not fair, and they’re very well paid and we’re not.
“Going for a test is a case of staying in the house until you know the results, it’s baffling she didn’t.
“This is the third time I’ve had to close. We’re all in the industrial estate and every one of us is struggling, wondering if we’re going to have enough money to pay the bills next month.”
Lisa has been diligent in ensuring her community’s safety after track and trace contacted her to self-isolate recently. It meant her business had to close temporarily, however these actions were tough to swallow when she found out that Ferrier used public transport whilst knowing she had tested positive for Covid-19.
Lisa added: “My oldest son had symptoms so I had to take him for a test. It was negative but it meant another two days off for the salon.
“A week later my youngest son’s nursery got closed down because there were around ten cases, so I was closed for another two weeks. And then you see Margaret Ferrier going to London, it’s really frustrating.
“I’m a lone parent and juggling things at the moment so I’m barely taking a wage from the salon.
“I did the right thing, she didn’t. I couldn’t work and she continued to work. The fact she sat in public transport as well, she could have put so many people in danger.
“I’m a member of her constituency. I was in disbelief and anger. Three times now my salon’s been closed on the advice of the government and we voted for her to lead us and she hasn’t.”
Lisa feels that Ferrier’s constituents have lost complete faith in her and highlighted the harsh reality of businesses suffering for following Covid rules – in contrast with the MP who remains in office despite breaking them.
“I would never come to her now for anything,” Lisa continued.
“I don’t think anyone in this area wants her to represent us. I think it was just greed. There was no other reason than financial gain.
“I closed my salon without a single bit of financial help. It’s frustrating because you think ‘why am I even bothering if she’s not?’ She should be leading by example. She’s not thought about anyone in her local area, only herself. Even some of my clients have said it’s disgusting that she’s done this, while I’m working there paying a fortune for all the PPE, making everything as safe as possible.
“It’s such a huge cost to keep the salon running right now and she’s had this total disregard for everybody.
“We’re all struggling to scrape by and it’s frustrating because if we’re doing this, why can’t she?”
“There’s a total lack of trust now which is horrible because we chose her. We’re all on our knees and in her area, she hasn’t came out to see how we’re doing, seeing what we’re sacrificing and how can she not do it?”
“There are businesses closing down right, left and centre as a result of everything. It’s not appropriate what she’s done and I don’t think she deserves to represent this area.
“I literally didn’t earn a penny from March through to July and I had to close again with no funding and I did it and will continue to do it because I want to keep people safe.”