Following Wednesday’s Scottish Conservative Party Business Debate on the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas, Highlands and Islands MSP and Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
"This Conservative-sponsored vote on HPMAs was an opportunity for SNP MSPs to reject the Scottish Government’s widely-opposed proposals.
“Unfortunately, only a handful did, and while there are clearly now divisions within the SNP on HPMAs, it was still galling to see MSPs like Emma Roddick, Maree Todd and Jenni Minto, who all represent fishing communities, put their ministerial jobs or their party first.
"Despite all the concerns about HPMAs raised by constituents and local stakeholders from right across the Highlands and Islands, the SNP’s payroll vote chose to abandon coastal communities and push ahead with these damaging proposals.
“They prioritised their dodgy deal with the Scottish Greens over the interests of their own constituents, highlighting the damaging chokehold the militant Greens have over the SNP and rural policy.
“Right from the start, Scottish ministers have failed to engage meaningfully with local communities and stakeholders, and that’s why they have got it so very wrong on HPMAs.
“The SNP must drop these proposals – which will do irreversible damage to our coastal communities, risking jobs and livelihoods – and start listening to the voices of local people.
“If they don’t, and they continue to push ahead with their blanket introduction of HPMAs, the SNP’s betrayal of coastal communities will never be forgiven”.
