Chaos in Scotland.

[FD2]

Gonna no' do that! Climate policy change leaked. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/242 ... te-pledge/

Scottish Government drops 2030 climate pledge

Màiri McAllan has confirmed that the Scottish Government is to scrap a legally binding commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.

However, the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy described the decision to ditch the key climate target as “a minor legislative amendment.”

The minister told MSPs that the government accepted a recent report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) that this interim target was now “out of reach.”

She told MSPs that while progress in reducing emissions will continue to be reported annually, the government would move to a “target approach based on five yearly carbon budgets.”

The minister was forced to apologise to the chamber after details of the statement were leaked to press.

She said she had instructed the Scottish Government's Permanent Secretary to conduct a inquiry to find the leaker.

In her statement, Ms McAllan said the government needed to concentrate on hitting the ambition to be net zero by 2045 “at a pace and scale that is feasible, fair and just.”

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics ... mmitments/

Some advice on ferries from someone who might have some good ideas - not a politician of course... https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/242 ... ys-expert/

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Net zero is not feasible, or fair, or just, anywhere, ever.

Of course my arguments in support of that view, whilst entirely logical and scientifically valid, are now officially a Hate Crime, and Disinformation, in Scotland, so I will be keeping them to myself.

[FD2]

Just don't muddy the discussion with facts or you'll be up before the 'beak'!

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Facts, logic, .....
I reckon Captain Obvious is right up there with Adolf and Genghis as the most hated man in Leftdom.

[Rossian]

Where's plum when we need the REAL inside story??

The Ancient Mariner

[FD2]

Sturgeon doorstepped and explains what it's like at home at the moment. Awkward over the breakfast table maybe, discussing when the knock at the front door might be for her. Schadenfreude anyone, but maybe she can wriggle out of this one too?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... t-SNP.html

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Scottish Ned Party.

[tango15]

Sturgeon doorstepped and explains what it's like at home at the moment. Awkward over the breakfast table maybe, discussing when the knock at the front door might be for her. Schadenfreude anyone, but maybe she can wriggle out of this one too?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... t-SNP.html

I'd have thought that things had been frosty (no cereal pun intended) over the breakfast table for some time now, given their allegedly different proclivities. The former first minister appears to have added to her portfolio, too!

[CharlieOneSix]

https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aber ... ns-9245407
Brilliant news! With only 7 Green MSPs in Scotland they had far too much influence with two of them being Ministers as part of the power sharing deal. With the SNP now having to operate as a minority administration hopefully this is the beginning of the path to getting rid of them.

Clueless Scottish Green MSP Minister Lorna Slater

Scottish Greens failed bottle recycling scheme costs taxpayers £86m (not £186m as reported here)

Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater - both centre in photo - look pretty miserable after being sacked as Green Ministers this morning.

Unhappy Greens.jpg (66.17 KiB) Viewed 3288 times

[CharlieOneSix]

Article written yesterday before Harvie was sacked....
SNP MSPs tired of f****** cranks like Patrick Harvie

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

How to look good in politics after failing as Leader...

..anoint a successor who's even worse!

Hamas Yousufa, Joe Biden, John Major, etc.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Humus YouNotSafe to resign.
Now. who's he going to find to succeed as FM to make him look good?

[Rossian]

Revealing his choice of priorities "for the good of the SNP, the government and the people of Scotland". You got them in the wrong order you bastard!

The Ancient Mariner

[Boac]

One of the contenders in the election is Kate Forbes, who as a former SNP 'Finance Minister' should be in a good position to advise on the current (ALLEGED) financial improprieties.

[FD2]

No wind power for a while. That's something Shetland has plenty of too!

[Karearea]

^ Interesting.
Looking at the terrain, looks like the whole lot could be on the march at some point.
Dynamic landscape even if it appears stable during our brief candle...

[CharlieOneSix]

The Ipsos survey in Scotland published yesterday predicts that at the General Election the Scottish Conservatives will lose to the SNP all seven Westminster seats that they presently hold. Ipsos also predicts that Labour and the SNP will have 27 seats each with the Lib Dems having the remaining three.

42% of likely voters say they may change their mind by polling day. 55% of those intending to vote Conservative say they may change their mind and they most likely would switch to Labour.

Among those likely to vote either Yes or No in an immediate Scottish Independence referendum, 51% say they would vote Yes and 49% No.

I think that at this time all the political parties in the UK are a waste of space and it pains me to admit it but I shall vote Labour for the first time in my life in the hope that Scotland gives the SNP a thrashing.

[CharlieOneSix]

The Exit Poll suggests that the SNP will lose 38 of their 48 Westminster seats. Even Sturgeon admits that might well be an accurate forecast. If the poll does turn out to be accurate I look forward to seeing how Swinney spins that into repeating that the Scots have voted for a mandate for independence.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

So, if the SNP loses influence, will Jock Plod then feel OK about arresting Nicola tomorrow ack emma?

[FD2]

Glen Sannox ferry delivery date delayed yet again as pipework 'integrity' problem found From The Scotsman

By Dale Miller
Published 2nd Aug 2024, 13:48 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2024, 00:04 BST

The update on the Glen Sannox comes after it was revealed this week the cost of repairing and maintaining Scotland’s publicly-owned ferry fleet has almost trebled in the past five years

Ministers have been told that “heads must roll” as it was announced the delivery of the long-delayed Glen Sannox had been pushed back yet again, with the ferry to not enter service until well after the summer.

The Ferguson Marine shipyard confirmed the vessel’s new official handover date would be September 30, despite only last month saying it hoped to deliver the ferry in the week starting August 19.

The state-owned shipyard has identified more areas which need work as it continues to wrestle with problems around the installation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel system, something it has been dealing with since last year.

An update to the Scottish Parliament’s transport committee has revealed the “integrity” of the ferry’s pipework now needs to be re-examined.

And in farcical developments, Ferguson Marine’s interim chief executive John Petticrew said workforce congestion on parts of the vessel due to the required checks would mean a re-evaluation of health and safety standards was needed, adding to the time needed to guarantee the ferry is seaworthy.

The Scottish Conservatives said “ministerial heads must roll” following the latest delays.

Party transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: “This beggars belief – or it would if this SNP scandal had not long gone beyond being a cruel joke. Betrayed islanders have been waiting years for these vital lifeline ferries, and were only recently told that the Glen Sannox would miss the whole of the crucial summer season.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes described confirmation of the handover delay as “deeply disappointing”.

Both Glen Sannox and its sister ship, Glen Rosa, are designed to run on both traditional marine gas oil and LNG – becoming the first ferries built in the UK to do so. However, Ferguson Marine says the September 30 date could be pulled forward if it makes good progress and successfully completes further sea trials.

The latest delays come as CalMac prepares to retire one of its oldest vessels, MV Hebridean Isles, in November.

Mr Petticrew wrote to Holyrood’s transport committee on Friday to provide one of his regular updates, saying: “We have, regrettably, identified an additional number of areas which require to be completed on the vessel before we can proceed to acceptance trials.

“The majority of these works will have to take place in relatively small engine spaces, which are already delayed by the prolonged installation of the LNG system, due to the complexity of installation and need to examine the integrity of the pipework.” This would lead to increased workforce congestion on parts of the vessel, he said, meaning a re-evaluation of health and safety standards was needed.

Mr Petticrew continued: There is simply no room for half measures or cutting corners. Following a review of these challenges, we are conscious of the risk associated with nearing completion of MV Glen Sannox’s ‘first-in-class’ dual fuel design and we therefore signal an official handover deadline of September 30.”

The later handover deadline would, he said, “allow us breathing space to consider any unknown issues during LNG/owners trials and post-trial inspections”. He promised to update the committee on the cost implications of the latest changes.

Existing cost estimates for Glen Sannox are between £145.5 million and £149.1m and it is hoped the cost for Glen Rosa will be kept below £150m. Now six years late, the total bill will be three times the original £97m price tag.

Former Ferguson Marine chief executive David Tydeman, who was sacked from the role in March, told The Scotsman he was "not surprised" by the slippage of the delivery date.

"It was regrettable that the board didn't want to accept my warnings that the closing stages could expose further items of re-work and difficult issues in the confined spaces in these complex ships," he said. "It's regrettable that the chairman made assurances of end of July handover to the Deputy First Minister a couple of months ago and she confirmed this to Parliament"

Ms Forbes said: “We are working closely with Ferguson Marine to ensure the company is doing all it can to complete the handover as quickly as possible, and hopefully sooner than September 30. Health and safety is the overriding priority, especially with the yard under pressure to complete Glen Sannox. We have been assured that all necessary steps are being taken to protect the workforce and deliver rapid progress.”

Also on Friday, CalMac confirmed it will retire the MV Hebridean Isles in November after almost 40 years of service. Affectionately known as Heb Isles, the 85m-long ferry has mainly served Islay in recent years.

The first of four new major vessels being built in Turkey, MV Isle of Islay will operate the route when she enters service later this year.

Craig Ramsay, CalMac’s fleet management director, said: “MV Hebridean Isles’ planned disposal marks the latest step in a period of significant change for CalMac, which will see the rapid modernisation of our fleet of major vessels by 2026.

“If the Heb Isles were to be retained, she would require a significant programme of work in overhaul due to her age and general condition and this would keep her out of service for months. In providing an update on her disposal now, we’re aiming to provide certainty to our communities and customers ahead of winter.

“Vessels become a part of the fabric of the island communities they serve, and CalMac colleagues and islanders, particularly on Islay, will be sorry to see the Heb Isles exit the fleet after a long period of service. That’s why we are keen to mark her departure in some form come November.”