Responding to comments by SNP MP Alyn Smith in which he trivialises the ferries crisis facing communities across the Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
“These arrogant and shameless remarks sum up just how out-of-touch senior SNP MPs are with Scotland’s island and rural communities.
“His flippant dismissal of Scotland’s ferry fiasco - a result of 16 years of mismanagement by SNP ministers - shows a staggering lack of awareness and accountability.
“Islanders’ lives continue to be hugely disrupted by the SNP’s appalling failure to build a functioning ferry network, but Alyn Smith doesn’t seem to grasp – or care – about how urgent this issue is for those living who live and work in our ferry-reliant communities.
“Livelihoods continue to be deeply damaged for those who depend on ferries every day, but this SNP MP incredibly doesn’t think it is one of Scotland’s real priorities.
“The SNP have repeatedly neglected rural Scotland during their 16 years in office. This arrogant attitude just shows why things won’t get any better under this Central Belt-focused party".
SNP MP Alyn Smith was speaking at the nationalist Break Up Of Britain Conference, which included speakers from the Scottish Greens, Sinn Féin and Labour. A clip of his comments is available here
https://x.com/staylorish/status/1726505958707433876?s=20
