Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has called out nationalist MSPs from the Highlands and Islands after their no show during a key Scottish Parliament debate on the A9.
During a Scottish Conservative sponsored debate (22nd February 2023) on dualling the road, none of the region’s SNP or Green MSPs spoke or were even present. However, all later voted for the Scottish Government’s amendment which removed any criticism of Scottish ministers’ handling of the troubled road project.
Mr Halcro Johnston accused local SNP MSPs of failing to put their constituents first by not taking part and then by rejecting the Conservative motion.
He said: “This was an important debate on a key local issue, but it appears SNP MSPs from the Highlands and Islands couldn’t be bothered to turn up.
“Not one of the 7 SNP, nor the region’s 1 Green, MSPs was present during the debate. But all – bar one - found time to vote against our motion criticising their government’s failure to deliver what they had promised.
"The clear message Highland voters will take from this is that local SNP MSPs, and their government in Edinburgh, are indifferent to the urgent need to dual the A9.
“And by voting against our motion, they have demonstrated that they are unwilling to take action on one of the most pressing infrastructure issues facing our region, and are unwilling to put their constituents first by calling out their own government’s failure.
Mr Halcro Johnston also criticised the Scottish Government for not admitting earlier that the 2025 dualling target wouldn’t be met. He said:
“What has frustrated me – and, I know, a lot of local people as well – has been the Scottish Government’s refusal to accept what everyone else could see with their own eyes; that the promise to complete dualling by 2025 was not going to be met.
“Time and time, ministers came to Parliament and claimed that progress was being made and that the commitment would be met. We now know that those were just empty words.
“However, the Transport Minister has now admitted to me that she was told by Transport Scotland on 7th December last year that the 2025 date would be missed. That’s a full 2 months before either Parliament or the public were told.
“We might not always expect accuracy from SNP ministers, but surely the public should be able to expect some honest. Why did it take 2 months for the Scottish Government to finally admit what we all knew?
“Scottish ministers have treated local folk, local stakeholders and other roads users with utter contempt. It’s no wonder that there is such growing anger in the Highlands and Islands over the mess the SNP have made of this project.
“We are all sick and tired of Scottish ministers’ endless excuses and desperate attempts to play the blame game. The message to the Scottish Government is clear: No more excuses. No more delays. Get the A9 dualled”.
Notes:
SNP and Green MSPs, including all those from the Highlands and Islands except Fergus Ewing, voted to reject Graham Simpson’s motion below and replace it with Jenny Gilruth’s amendment.
