FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Labour’s Callum George Calls for Common Sense as Tiree and Coll Face Fuel Crisis and Ferry Fiasco
TIREE & COLL – Dr Callum George, the Scottish Labour candidate for Argyll and Bute, has today issued a sharp rebuke of the ongoing issues with the lifeline ferry routes serving Tiree and Coll, branding the current situation there a “public health emergency.”
Following direct correspondence with local representatives and residents, Dr George is calling for an immediate overhaul of vessel deployment and an end to the bureaucratic gridlock that has left islanders facing fuel rationing and a collapse in visitor numbers.
A Community Under Siege
The islands are currently reeling from a “perfect storm” of infrastructure failures. Recent reports from Tiree highlight a £35 limit on petrol sales—a direct result of stand-in ferries being unable to transport fuel tankers alongside passengers.
Furthermore, local tourism is under threat; visitor numbers at Tiree’s Historical Centre, An Iodhlann, were reportedly down by two-thirds over the Easter period. Dr George warns that the “ferry fiasco” is far beyond being just an inconvenience or a logistical headache—it is a threat to the economic and physical survival of the islands.“
When a replacement vessel can’t carry fuel tankers, we aren’t just talking about transport; we are talking about the basic ability of an island to function, stay warm, and stay safe,” said Dr Callum George. “As a doctor, I see this for what it is: a public health crisis in the making. Furthermore, islanders are missing vital hospital appointments and paying out of pocket for multi-day journeys just to receive essential care. It is unacceptable.”
The Labour Plan: Accountability and Action
Dr George has pledged to champion a series of common-sense reforms to restore reliability to the route:
Vessel Suitability: Supporting the Tiree Transport Forum’s demand that the MV Clansman or MV Hebrides remain the primary vessels for the route, noting that the MV Isle of Mull is unsuitable for the specific swell conditions of the area.
The “Quick Win” Freight Service: Endorsing the proposal for a weekly Oban-Tiree-Oban dedicated freight ferry, which could operate as a cost-neutral measure by reducing the pressure on passenger deck space during winter cancellations.
Ending the “Incompetence Tax”: Dr George is calling for the merger of Transport Scotland, CalMac, and CMAL. This would eliminate the “overlapping bureaucracies” that currently cost taxpayers £6.6 billion while failing to provide accountability for broken booking systems and aging fleets.
Local Democracy: Under a proposed Local Democracy Bill, power would be shifted from Edinburgh back to empower local bodies like the Tiree Transport Forum, ensuring those who live on the islands have a direct say in their timetables.
Standing Together
Dr George intends to reach out to Labour colleagues at all levels of government to ensure that the voices of Tiree and Coll are heard clearly at Holyrood, Westminster and Kilmory.
“I’m a doctor, not a career politician,” Dr George concluded. “I don’t have time for spin while our islands are being short-changed. We need to get the basics right, and that starts with a ferry service that actually works. We need a government of action, not excuses.”
