Mixing politics and business is never plain sailing – and the ongoing saga of the upgrades to Scotland’s ferry services has proven that statement to be literal.
It emerged last week that the procurement of a new wave of ferries has been delayed by nearly two years as state-owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has yet to start the process.
Similarly, struggling state-owned shipbuilders Ferguson Marine have been left in limbo, and its future cast into “significant doubt”, as they claim the Scottish Government has failed to commit and invest in their facilities as they strive to win the contract to build the seven proposed new ferries.
Are we starting to see a pattern developing?
Yes, politicians getting involved in business, and vital business at that, as ferries provide a lifeline to island communities and a boost to local economies through tourism, is never a recipe for success.
I wrote in my column last week that the Scottish islands are already home to the lowest-paid postcodes in the UK – and this current setback can only come as a further blow to local people and island economies, struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Nationalisation, regardless of the party behind it, is the bane of businesspeople across the country.
Stifling private enterprise, prohibiting growth and, ultimately, frustrating the working public with delays, complications, and their tendencies to become cash cows on the taxpayers’ dime.
However, it hasn’t always been this way. The evidence is there.
Back in 2015, Ferguson Marine, then a private enterprise, successfully delivered three 42-metre hybrid vessels on time and on budget after three years under construction.
Now, the firm is struggling. It’s a loss-maker and a hole in the taxpayer’s pocket, not to mention a sad plight for an industry which once dominated the Clyde.
The Port Glasgow-based company is the last remaining commercial shipbuilder on the river. Their yard could be a beacon of industry and example of how Scotland’s once-great industrial might is still flickering and ready for investment.
Instead, what the world sees is a business not being properly supported, funded nor championed as the government continues to drag their heels over its vital ferry fleet.
And shipbuilding is not the only industry enduring the cold shoulder of Holyrood, see Grangemouth and its oil refinery due for closure in 2025, three years before the ferries are now hoped to be delivered.
Indeed, finance secretary Shona Robison and her Scottish cabinet cronies have a lot to answer for.
Robison claims the small vessels plans had been “reprofiled, allowing time to fully consider the business case work, vessels design criteria, and help ensure alignment of the related shore power and port improvement works”.
As noted in her statement, it’s not just island communities that suffer from diplomatic dilly-dallying, it’s those on the mainland, too.
Improvements to harbours in port towns Ardrossan and Gourock, to the tune of a £34m investment, have been put off as other businesses like ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne feel the impact.
As ever, while ‘getting things done’ remains the rallying cry of governments the world over, in practice, there’s less ribbon-cutting and more red tape.
I do hope recent events wake the government up to the course Scottish business on.
The current direction of travel is alarming, and we need expert hands at the helm to steer our industries through stormy weather.
While gerrymandering may prove an effective tactic in politics, in business, shuffling the pack and manipulating situations for too long can have devastating effects.
Before things get out of hand, I hope the government consult with the experts and get a plan together for the future of a proud and historic Scottish industry and, of course, provide the best possible service to those sailing our waters.
Put simply, my message to Robison & co, is do us all a favour and leave business to businesspeople before we see another stalwart of Scottish enterprise submerge.
Clutha’s legacy plans give Glasgow hope
I was stunned to discover that it’s already been ten years since the Clutha disaster, where a helicopter crash killed three people on board and seven of the pub’s customers.
It’s one of those incidents where you remember exactly where you were when you first heard about the tragedy. It was a real shock to the Glasgow community.
Since then, the pub, owned by Alan Crossan, started the Clutha Trust – an arts-based charity which works with vulnerable groups in Glasgow – and he’s just announced big plans for the venue, which have been in the works for years.
Alan is planning to create a cultural hub which will feature different bars, a 300-seat theatre which can be used by community groups or charities, office space as well as areas for art or music classes.
Also included in the plans are 120 to 140 serviced apartments, which will help create a revenue stream where he hopes to raise more than £3 million annually for the charity.
10 years on, it’s a sad milestone, however it’s inspiring to see his vision for the future, which I really do hope come to fruition.
It also sounds like they’ll honour the iconic Clutha pub and those who died with a memorial, while the new plans will also ensure that the charity can reach more young people and those in need.
I’m sure in due course the new facilities will be vital for charities and community groups within Glasgow.
It Made Me Laugh
Stott on a Daffodil for Marie Curie
It’s not every day you get to see Grant Stott’s face on a daffodil, but today’s your lucky day.
The well-known face, who’s currently starring as the villain in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter, is helping Marie Curie launch its 2024 Edinburgh Brain Game.
I was lucky enough to attend this year’s Edinburgh event and it was a night to remember.
Organisations of any size can take part in the ultimate quiz to find out which business is Edinburgh’s brainiest.
It’s refreshing to see well-known figures working with charities, especially at this time of the year when fundraising is vital, and many charitable organisations have been hit with the cost-of-living crisis.
It might be a hilarious picture, but it’s an important cause which I hope will be a success.
It Made Me Weep
Hogwarts Express threatened by safety rules
The iconic Harry Potter train which travels over the Glenfinnan Viaduct could be in trouble due to new safety rules.
The Jacobite steam train, well known as the Hogwarts Express, might be in trouble as they may need to pay £7 million to update its coaches due to an exemption being revoked.
Previously, steam trains had been given two ten-year exemptions to use alternative locking systems on the carriage doors. However, this has since changed, and updates could decimate profits for up to a decade.
It’s sad news for all involved as not only would West Coast Railways, which runs the Jacobite routes, be affected, local areas such as Mallaig and Fort William would see a steep drop in tourist numbers too.
