Argyll & Bute’s  two key constituency representatives, Jim Mather MSP and Alan Reid MP have responded to our call for action to bring this matter to an agreed resolution – Mr Mather for the second time.

Since, as Alan Reid points out, this is a devolved matter, we will take Mr Mather’s contribution first.

Jim Mather’s response (18th July)

‘I am keen to play my full part – but I am also keen to make sure that we use the good offices of our increasingly effective council and to give them their rightful place in the process.

‘I am also very keen to make sure that we do not polarise the debate and that we start to work progressively to see how we can accommodate the interests of all parties and the wider economy in these recessionary times.

‘Therefore, I remain willing to help facilitate any meeting involving the Council, Clydeport, the community and any other people, who feel they have an interest in the matter’.

Alan Reid’s response (18th July)

‘I had written to Clydeport and the Scottish Transport Minister on behalf of local residents. However, both refused to help.

‘Since this is a devolved matter, the solution rests with our MSPs.

‘It is unfortunate that these ships appeared just as the Scottish Parliament’s summer recess was starting, so our MSPs will not have an opportunity to raise the problem in the Parliament until September.

‘If the ships are still there by then, I hope that all our MSPs will raise this issue on their first day back.

‘I will, of course, support local residents and MSPs in any campaign to get these ships moved from the loch’.

For Argyll’s comment

Alan Reid has noted what we ourselves commented on at the outset – that the ships appeared in Loch Striven as Holyrood went into its summer recess. This may have been coincidence. but, since some of he Maersk ships were lying off for some time, waiting to come in, it would be naive not to raise an eyebrow.

Mr Mather’s agreement with our identification of Argyll and Bute Council as a key player in discussions with the communities and Clydeport in arriving at an agreed outcome is positive and accurate.

Within the Council itself, it was notable at the end of this year’s annual budget negotiations, that Councillors from all the political parties paid tribute to the inclusiveness and negotiating skills of their Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh.

The Council simply must be seen to support the communities for which it is responsible. In grown up politics,the Council must also be seen to be capable of objectivity in recognising that there are a variety of needs and interests to be taken into account in any dispute. Councillor Walsh is ideally equipped to play a leading role in assisting the arrival at a mutually agreed way forwards.

The commercial life of the Clyde is important to everyone – but, in the interests of democracy, no company, private or public, can be allowed to think that it can neglect its wider social responsibilities. Rolling over the powerless just because you can is not a modus operandi anyone should see as acceptable. We don’t.

Related Posts

• Action on starting discussions on Loch Striven lay ups (3)
• Maersk, Council and Alan Reid to attend South Cowal Public Meeting on Clydeport and Loch Striven (12)
• For Argyll calls for action in the interests of Loch Striven communities (1)
• Loch Striven ship layups: rolling story (217)
• Castle Toward meeting: stand up or hold up? (7)

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