Annabelle Ewing Backs a Publicly Owned Ferry Service for Scotland
Annabelle Ewing has placed a publicly owned ferry service at the heart of her campaign platform for Ochil and South Perthshire, arguing that island and coastal communities deserve reliable, affordable connections rather than contracts awarded to private operators who prioritise shareholder returns. Her proposal draws on the long-standing model of Caledonian MacBrayne, which has carried passengers and freight to the Hebrides for generations under public ownership.
Speaking from her constituency, Ewing has framed the ferry debate as a matter of economic justice and national sovereignty. She points to rising fares, cancelled sailings, and ageing vessels as evidence that the current system is failing the people who rely on it most. Her pitch resonates with voters who watch similar debates unfold thousands of miles away, where ferries shuttle commuters past the Opera House in Sydney or carry holiday-makers across Bass Strait to Launceston.
Why Public Ownership Matters
Ewing argues that ferries are not luxury assets but lifeline infrastructure, on a par with roads and railways. When a vessel breaks down or a route is withdrawn, the impact ripples through schools, hospitals, and small businesses. Under her plan, vessels would be built and maintained through direct public investment, removing the pressure to chase profits on every crossing.
She has repeatedly contrasted this approach with private tendering, which she describes as a race to the bottom. Crew pay, safety standards, and frequency of service all suffer when contracts reward cost-cutting. A publicly owned operator, she contends, can plan for decades rather than quarters, and can absorb shocks such as fuel spikes or severe weather without passing the full burden onto passengers.
Lessons From Comparable Networks
Across the Tasman Sea and the Pacific, communities have wrestled with the same questions. Brisbane's CityHopper and CityCat ferries, run by the council, offer free or low-cost trips along the river and have become embedded in daily life. Sydney's inner harbour routes are publicly operated and integrated with the Opal ticketing system, allowing commuters to move between train, bus, and boat with a single card. Perth's ferries to Fremantle and Rottnest Island demonstrate how a state-run model can mix tourism with genuine public transport duties.
Ewing's team has studied these models and spoken with maritime unions about adapting them to Scottish waters. The lesson, she believes, is that mixed fleets, long-term procurement, and stable funding all depend on keeping the operator accountable to the public rather than to investors. A vessel that lasts forty years pays for itself many times over; one built to a profit-driven spec may need replacing in fifteen.
Fares, Funding and Fairness
One of the most contentious issues on her doorstep is the cost of a ferry ticket. Ewing wants a fairer fares structure, with caps for residents, free travel for students and pensioners, and ring-fenced subsidies for remote islands. She has accused the current operator of treating crossings like a cash cow while communities watch depots close.
Funding would come from a combination of redirected Westminster spending, Scottish government borrowing powers after independence, and a reformed procurement budget. Ewing insists that public ownership does not mean endless handouts, but it does mean transparent accounts and proper scrutiny by MSPs and community councils. She has called for an annual report laid before Holyrood detailing punctuality, emissions, and investment.
Building Vessels and Skills
A new ferry is not just steel and engines. Ewing's plan includes a domestic shipbuilding programme, with construction yards in Scotland and apprenticeships for young engineers, welders, and navigators. She argues this would revive a proud maritime tradition and stop the brain drain of skilled workers heading abroad.
Comparable projects in Australia, such as the evolved Cape-class vessels used in the Torres Strait, show how targeted public investment can build lasting local capability. Ewing wants a similar multiplier effect, where every vessel ordered anchors jobs and supply chains for decades. Her campaign literature highlights that Scotland once built some of the finest ships in the world and can do so again with political will.
What Voters in Ochil and South Perthshire Stand to Gain
Although the constituency sits inland, Ewing stresses that ferry policy affects every household. Hill farmers rely on imported feed, hospitality venues need steady tourism, and families book crossings for weddings, funerals, and holidays. A reliable, publicly owned network would ease those pressures.
Local Labour and Conservative politicians have attacked the cost of nationalisation, but Ewing's supporters counter that the current crisis is already costing the public purse through emergency bailouts. Her team points to spiralling charter fees, legal disputes, and the political embarrassment of cancelled peak-season sailings. They argue that buying back the service is not radical, but pragmatic.
A Comparison of Ferry Models
| Model | Ownership | Funding | Fares | Accountability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private contract | Shareholder-owned | Government subsidy plus fares | Market rate, often high | Limited, via contract terms |
| Public operator (CalMac) | Scottish government | Grant funding, fare revenue | Resident discounts available | Ministerial, parliamentary scrutiny |
| Council-run (Brisbane CityCat) | Local authority | Rates, fares, state grants | Free or low fare | Local council reports |
| State hybrid (Perth/Rottnest) | State government | Mixed | Tiered by route | Annual public reporting |
Common Questions From Constituents
- Will my council tax rise to pay for ferries?
- Who will build the new ships?
- How soon could fares fall?
- What happens to existing crews?
Practical Next Steps for Supporters
Voters can read the full policy paper on Ewing's campaign website and sign up to volunteer for constituency canvassing in towns like Alloa, Dunblane, and Crieff. Donations to the campaign fund the printing of leaflets and the hire of community spaces. Anyone with maritime experience is encouraged to get in touch through the contact page and share their views on vessel design and crew training.