Transport / Liberal Democrats lay out plans to end ‘ferries fiasco’
THE SCOTTISH Liberal Democrats have outlined their plans to ends Scotland’s “ferries fiasco” at the party’s conference in Glasgow.
A ferries bill guaranteeing island communities are served by a reliable network, requirements to replace ageing vessels and a 30-year strategy for ferries and port infrastructure are among the asks of the Scottish Government.
The motion was passed by the party after being brought forward by West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene.
It follows a consultation run by Greene, which heard from local people, workers, ferry experts and businesses who have been affected by ferry disruption across Scotland.
Among the measures the Lib Dems say they will introduce if elected to power at the 2026 Scottish elections are a new ferries bill which “listens to the needs of island communities and empowers them in decision-making”.
The motion passed said that islanders and coastal communities, such as Shetland, are “paying the price for the failure of the Scottish Government to provide the ferries they need”.
It said the Northern Isles have missed out on cheaper ferry fares, the removal of shared cabins has pushed up costs and reduced options for islanders, and freight capacity has not met the needs of businesses.
And it added that the SNP government “have had their chance” and “shown themselves to be incapable of running the ferries that islanders and coastal communities rely upon.”
“It is scandalous that no SNP minister has ever resigned over the ferries fiasco,” the motion continued.
“Islanders deserve better than a ‘Holyrood knows best’ attitude.”
Greene, who brought the motion to the conference, said islanders “deserve better than SNP ministers who’ve shown that they don’t understand local needs and can’t be trusted with lifeline links.”
“We need to get Scotland moving again,” he said.
“We will end the ferries fiasco for good through a new ferries bill that puts fairness for these communities at its heart.
“They deserve a new strategy that guarantees vessels are replaced in time and a real say on how their ferries are run, on top of proper compensation for the disruption they’ve suffered.
“We are poised to beat the SNP in seats where their ferries fiasco has hit hard, but wherever you are a vote for the Liberal Democrats on the peach ballot next year can fix the ferries for good and get Scotland moving again.”
It comes a week after the SNP backed a motion, from the party’s candidate for the Shetland seat at the 2026 elections Hannah Mary Goodlad, to reserve cabin and vehicle space aboard NorthLink ferries for islanders.
SNP backs motion to reserve cabin and vehicle space for islanders on ferries
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