Quote Originally Posted by Mason89 View Post
What you both have done differently with the ferries? Put everyone out a job or place your trust in the spiv because that was the only options. Every party wanted the second option & every party would’ve faced the same problem
That’s about as sensible a question as asking who I’d want as Aberdeen’s new manager in that it’s not my job, neither is it (business speak alert) within my skill set.

In the case you mention, representatives are elected to provide public services, and take advice to ensure that these are procured from reliable and capable (see FMEL workers’ comments on capability from the outset of the order) suppliers. There will be set deliverables on agreed timescales and an agreed budget to which the supplier must adhere or incur penalties. CMAL, as the procurement arm seems to have failed on diligence ensuring that these contractual essentials are fulfilled. That quango is wholly accountable to the Scottish Government whose response is to throw further funds at it. We are now in the situation where neither of the vessels may ever see service. It has been said that the resources spunked on these vessels, which may turn out to have scrap value only, might have been better deployed in giving potentially jobless FMAL workers a million quid each to spend in the local community.

In short, had I been charged with taking this on, I’d have brought in Proper Mannies’ experts in nautical matters, asked the potential users what they wanted as sea-going hardware, ensured that the berthing infrastructures matched the vessels’ sizes and design, and planned for dual fuel facilities at the required berthing points before they touched the briny - if even the unnamed second hull has left the slipway yet. I’d have taken responsibility for it, including the colossal errors of judgement and (here you go Sneckie) curspurnery of the Scottish Government keen to grandstand and bask in the glory of saving jobs and skills, but want fûck all to do with righting wrongs, or admitting what a series of bôllock-dropping it’s been

That’s the problem with having no time for experts, and government members being crippled by insecurity and borderline paranoia.

I trust I can rely on your vote?