Argyll & Bute MP Brendan O’Hara, has urged his constituents to leave the Scottish government “in absolutely no doubt as to the strength of feeling that exists across Argyll & Bute on the issue of HPMAs.”

In a letter targeted at those living on the islands and in our fishing communities, the Westminster MP has seized upon comments made by the First Minister in which he, and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform, and the Islands, suggested that where a community “vehemently opposed” them, then HPMAs would not be imposed on those communities.

Mr. O’Hara, who has been an outspoken critic of the plan to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas on the west coast of Scotland, has urged his constituents to make their opinion on the proposals known to the Scottish government, by contacting his office directly to have their views collated and shared with Holyrood ministers. 

Speaking as the first of his letters were due to arrive, Mr. O’Hara said, “I am pleased and encouraged that both the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary have indicated a willingness to listen to and be guided by the people who will be most affected by these HPMAs, should they go ahead.”

He continued,

“We have been given an opportunity to make sure that our voice is heard. It is essential that the people of Argyll & Bute speak out now and leave the government in absolutely no doubt as to the dire economic and social consequences that HPMAs would bring to our already economically fragile communities”

ENDS