Scottish Liberal Democrats Demand Urgent Parliamentary Recall to Address Ferries Crisis
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has called for the immediate recall of the Scottish Parliament to tackle what he describes as a deepening crisis in the country's west coast ferry services. Cole-Hamilton asserted that MSPs must return to Holyrood to "sort out this mess", which he attributes directly to the SNP government's management failures.
Parliamentary Recess and Recall Window
The Scottish Parliament entered its recess last week ahead of the May election, but it can be recalled up until April 8. Cole-Hamilton made his demand during a speech in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, where he emphasized the urgency of the situation. "This is a crisis of the SNP's creation and it is engulfing our island and coastal communities," he told the Press Association.
Current Ferry Service Disruptions
CalMac, the ferry operator, is currently grappling with significant service disruptions:
- Eight CalMac ferries are out of action, with four undergoing planned maintenance and the others sidelined due to technical issues.
- The situation worsened over the weekend when the MV Lord of the Isles, serving Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay, reported an engine problem on Saturday.
- Other vessels, including the long-awaited MV Glen Sannox, MV Isle of Islay, and MV Isle of Arran, are also not in service due to unplanned technical issues.
In a minor positive development, CalMac announced that the MV Isle of Islay, the newest ferry in its fleet built in Turkey, carried passengers for the first time on Tuesday, departing Port Askaig at 12.30pm. This vessel is intended to provide a mainland link to Islay and Jura.
Political Responses and Proposed Solutions
Cole-Hamilton outlined his party's proposals to address the crisis:
- Immediate compensation for all affected islanders.
- A new ferries Bill in the next Parliament to establish a rolling 30-year procurement programme that puts communities at the centre.
"It's no surprise that ferry fleets age and need to be replaced, but it seems to have come as a surprise to the SNP – that can't be allowed to happen again," he added.
Other political parties have also weighed in. Scottish Labour's transport spokesperson, Daniel Johnson, blamed "years of SNP neglect" for the chaos, calling for urgent action and a change in government. Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Sue Webber criticized the SNP's mismanagement and noted that the Liberal Democrats had previously voted for SNP budgets, potentially exacerbating the crisis.
Government and Operator Statements
The Scottish Government stated that it is working "urgently" with CalMac to tackle ferry shortages. An SNP spokesperson highlighted progress, such as the MV Isle of Islay operating, and emphasized over £2.0 billion invested in ferry services during their tenure. "People and businesses affected need strong, serious leadership and a plan," the spokesperson said, referencing First Minister John Swinney's commitment to island communities.
CalMac's chief executive, Duncan Mackison, previously described the situation as "critical" and warned that services would continue to be amended in the coming days, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by island residents and businesses.
