Ferguson Marine is owned by Scotland and its workers only want to serve Scotland and deliver modern ferries for islanders and value for money for taxpayers.

Whoever is to blame for the problems that beset the building of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries, it is not the workers. With support and ambition, their yard, in Port Glasgow, is a success waiting to happen.

The last ten years have been tortuous, failed Island communities and needlessly damaged the reputation of a famous shipyard and proud workforce.

The next decade, however, is an opportunity to forge a new partnership between a publicly-owned ferry company and publicly-owned shipyard delivering a stream of small, reliable passenger ships.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland Secretary, said: “These are the type of ships successfully built at Ferguson's for a century and more. They can be built there again.  With ambition and leadership, this yard can deliver for islanders and taxpayers and bolster Scotland’s maritime industries and industrial firepower.”

GMB Scotland, the biggest union at the yard, is leading this workers-led, community-based campaign to secure the direct award of the contract for the new Lord of the Isles ferry as the first step towards a secure and successful future for Ferguson Marine.