Ministers should hang their heads in shame
Life has always been tough on our islands. They are stunning places to visit; welcoming, relaxing, Instagrammably beautiful, but for the people who live there, earn a living, raise their families there, it can be challenging.
People often have to work multiple jobs just to keep their heads above water and if you get sick or need to visit family and friends on the mainland, you can’t just jump in the car or bus and head off. It needs careful planning.
But in the last couple of years not even careful planning has cut it. And this week, life on the islands may have become unsustainable for many. Losing your livelihood, forced to sell up and move away, heartbreakingly unsustainable. And all because our governments have dropped the ball – unforgivably so.
The ferry situation is imploding and the SNP should have seen it coming – probably did see it coming, but just sat on their hands.
And they are using CalMac staff as cannon fodder. And that is unforgivable too.
The Scottish Government needs to sort this mess out. We’re sick of the rhetoric, we’re sick of the excuses. We need action, investment, and now.
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