Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Calum MacDonald - too little too late
A friend in Harris phoned this morning about the news about Stolt. His job has gone, and his prospects in Harris are minimal.
Assuming closure is announced today, he's leaving for the mainland and taking his family with him; pulling the kids out of school, and he doesn't expect to be back.
He's held down a minimum wage job just to remain here, and has now been kicked in the teeth.
"Calum promised to do everything, and did nothing", he said. "The EU import duty is too little too late - the industry was lost when control passed to the Norwegians, and our politicians did nothing".
"Still", he added sardonically, "When we go, unemployment in the islands will fall; there will be fewer children in poverty; and fewer claiming Tax Credits. All good things according to Calum."
He knows he can sell the family croft house for a fortune to retirees, but if he does that he'll never ever be able to come back. Nor will his kids.
Is this what we want for our islands???
Assuming closure is announced today, he's leaving for the mainland and taking his family with him; pulling the kids out of school, and he doesn't expect to be back.
He's held down a minimum wage job just to remain here, and has now been kicked in the teeth.
"Calum promised to do everything, and did nothing", he said. "The EU import duty is too little too late - the industry was lost when control passed to the Norwegians, and our politicians did nothing".
"Still", he added sardonically, "When we go, unemployment in the islands will fall; there will be fewer children in poverty; and fewer claiming Tax Credits. All good things according to Calum."
He knows he can sell the family croft house for a fortune to retirees, but if he does that he'll never ever be able to come back. Nor will his kids.
Is this what we want for our islands???
