Cuts are unacceptable

The coalition government’s decision to scrap the four emergency coastguard tugs is both foolish and dangerous. These tugs are essential for the protection of Britain’s coastal waters, and for the communities, such as ours, that depend on those waters.

History tells us that, no matter how stringent the safety measures, accidents can and do happen, and the private sector is not always able or willing to clean up its own mess. It is unacceptable just to hope that they will do better next time. Such risks must not be taken.

The decision to scrap these four tugs is entirely consistent with the government’s overall programme, and while MP Alistair Carmichael has expressed his personal opposition to the move, he is part of this coalition that is pushing through cuts on an unprecedented scale. These are ideologically driven and economically unsound.

The Liberal Democrats and their Conservative colleagues are endangering our environment, our economy and our communities. It is time to speak up and hold them to account.

Steven Coutts
Shetland branch,
Scottish Green Party,
Weisdale.