Wilson Slams 'Supine' Gibson
Arran's current and past MSPs slug it out on the question of ferry fares.
Written by Nick Underdown
Friday, 23 May 2008
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Labour's Allan Wilson, former MSP, has challenged current MSP Kenny Gibson to sign Labour's petition (see below) calling for a 40% reduction in ferry fares for Arran residents.
Speaking at the launch of the petition, Mr Wilson said, “Kenny Gibson has an opportunity here to stand up for his constituents and support the call being made by island communalities all across Scotland for a reduction in their ferry fares.” He continued, “To date Mr Gibson has supinely followed his political masters to the detriment of his own Arran constituents and refused to back an immediate cut in fares. Now he has to come off the fence and say whether he supports an immediate cut or three more years of increasing fares. Arran residents are not immune to rising fuel and food prices and deserve the same consideration as their Western Isles counterparts, and they certainly don't deserve to be treated in this discriminatory manner by the SNP.”.br />
Reerring to Mr Gibson, he said, “Every time one of his Arran constituents makes the trip to the mainland they will be paying n SNP surcharge while other islanders see their fares reduced. In a week when doubt has been cast over whether every MSP elected to Holyrood in last year's elections 'deserves to be there' Mr Gibson has a chance to show he does — by supporting this petition.”.br />
Ex Labour Councillor for Arran John Sillars also welcomed the petition.
”.t is quite clear that every other island served by the Calmac network is being discriminated against, and given that Arran charges, on both routes, are among the highest per mile of all CalMac's routes, it is important that someone speaks up on behalf of the ferry users. And since Kenny Gibson, the SNP MSP, seems incapable of doing so, then it's right that the Labour Party takes up the case for reductions in Arran's ferry fares.”
Friday, 23 May 2008
1 view 0 commentsLabour's Allan Wilson, former MSP, has challenged current MSP Kenny Gibson to sign Labour's petition (see below) calling for a 40% reduction in ferry fares for Arran residents.
Speaking at the launch of the petition, Mr Wilson said, “Kenny Gibson has an opportunity here to stand up for his constituents and support the call being made by island communalities all across Scotland for a reduction in their ferry fares.” He continued, “To date Mr Gibson has supinely followed his political masters to the detriment of his own Arran constituents and refused to back an immediate cut in fares. Now he has to come off the fence and say whether he supports an immediate cut or three more years of increasing fares. Arran residents are not immune to rising fuel and food prices and deserve the same consideration as their Western Isles counterparts, and they certainly don't deserve to be treated in this discriminatory manner by the SNP.”.br />
Reerring to Mr Gibson, he said, “Every time one of his Arran constituents makes the trip to the mainland they will be paying n SNP surcharge while other islanders see their fares reduced. In a week when doubt has been cast over whether every MSP elected to Holyrood in last year's elections 'deserves to be there' Mr Gibson has a chance to show he does — by supporting this petition.”.br />
Ex Labour Councillor for Arran John Sillars also welcomed the petition.
”.t is quite clear that every other island served by the Calmac network is being discriminated against, and given that Arran charges, on both routes, are among the highest per mile of all CalMac's routes, it is important that someone speaks up on behalf of the ferry users. And since Kenny Gibson, the SNP MSP, seems incapable of doing so, then it's right that the Labour Party takes up the case for reductions in Arran's ferry fares.”
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