Buck stops with Prime Minister

for 2020/21, but less than £10 million was spent. I was further advised that the allocated figure for the financial year just ended 2021/22 was £21.25 million but it was unlikely that any more than £11 million would be spent. If that outturn figure is correct for the year just ended, not much more than 50 per cent of the Scottish Government’s cash planning target allocation for affordable housing will be spent in Argyll and Bute.

The reality from my position is that the issue is not one of a lack of resources but the ability to deliver on the ground. I have no wish to criticise housing associations who are currently building, they can only do so much, but I do think the council, as the strategic housing provider, has to widen its partner base and to look at how it can coordinate the delivery of much-needed affordable housing better, and spend the resources that can be made available by the Scottish Government. This could involve bringing in new housing partners, looking at what is blocking current development, such as the position of Historic Environment Scotland, and perhaps more radically, could the council build again itself?

Perhaps the only way to implement change is for the islanders to operate a few independent vessels themselves.

Do the aforementioned cabal worry? No, because they are smug in the knowledge that the islands do not have the capital to take them on.

Can we change it? Well, if there are any institutions, companies or individuals who have the financial inclination to try and make improvements, to the services to the islands, we at the Islay and Jura Ferry Co Ltd would be delighted to be part of that conversation.

Donald Ewen Darroch, Islay and Jura Ferry

Co Ltd, Isle of Jura.

Sue Gray has now published her report into parties that took place in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns.

The report is damning for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was on television nearly every day preaching observance of the Covid rules, whilst at the same time allowing, and attending, rowdy parties in Downing Street.

It’s time for him to go. Lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers.

Failure to resign will cement the view that there is one rule for the powerful, and another for the rest of us. That would be toxic for our democracy and our reputation around the world.

Civil servants should not be left to carry the can. The buck stops with the Prime Minister.

Conservative MPs must act now to replace the Prime Minister. They either stand with the Prime Minister, or they stand with democracy. They can’t do both.

Anni McArthur, by email.