TORY MSP Jamie Greene has endeared himself to Twitter users by claiming the Scottish Government has brought the shipbuilding industry to the “brink of collapse”.
It was certainly an odd way to react to the news that Ferguson shipyard has been nationalised, securing 350 jobs put at risk by a looming administration process.
The move will enable completion of two ferries being built at the Port Glasgow site for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), as well as ensuring a future for the yard.
READ MORE: SNP Government nationalise Ferguson shipyard to save jobs
Not everyone was impressed, however.
Reacting to the news, Greene tweeted: “Scotland's shipbuilding industry has been brought to the brink of collapse because of the SNP's reckless mismanagement of these ferry contracts. We need an immediate parliamentary inquiry into this matter.”
Scotland's shipbuilding industry has been brought to the brink of collapse because of the SNP's reckless mismanagement of these ferry contracts. We need an immediate parliamentary inquiry into this matter.https://t.co/M2OWRG1rPh
— Jamie Greene MSP (@jamiegreeneUK) August 16, 2019
READ MORE: Shipyard takeover presents Scotland with a massive opportunity
Scottish Twitter users were quick to pick up the Tory’s “reckless mismanagement” comments, which seemed to ring a bell with those familiar with Margaret Thatcher’s reign as prime minister.
Others noticed that Greene had been somewhat less vocal about the investment arm of Turkey's armed forces pension fund being on course to buy British Steel.
READ MORE: Remembering Margaret Thatcher's disastrous legacy 40 years after she became PM
Alan Ferrier responded by accusing the Tories of betraying Scottish shipyard workers.
I was born and brought up on the Clyde and had many friends and family members who worked in the yards. I watched old men cry as the cranes came down in the 1970s and '80s. The Clyde was betrayed - by your party.https://t.co/SgHVt5uhyf
— Alan Ferrier (@alanferrier) August 16, 2019
John Mollins noted the sale of British Steel.
Scotland's shipbuilding industry has been saved by the Scottish Government.
— John Mollins (@AlbasArachnid) August 16, 2019
Meanwhile Westminster sits back and watches British Steel being bought by the Turkish Army's pension fund.
Guess who Jamie Grievance is complaining about?
It's not the first time the Tory MSP has stuck his foot in it.
He made a fool of himself in December with criticism of the Scottish Budget.
In February, he showed an astounding level of ignorance over taxpayer-funded trips.
With his latest tweet thoroughly ratioed, Greene faces a deluge of criticism. Here are a few more of the top responses.
What’s the weather like on your planet?
— Robert Of The Glen (@RobDunsmore) August 16, 2019
@theSNP Government save 300 jobs and a precious Clyde asset and you are pure ragin. All one needs to know. Toodle pip.
— Craig Munro (@Fankledoose) August 16, 2019
Still can't get over the hypocrisy here.
— Seonaidh 🏴 (@MacNaBracha) August 19, 2019
What next...
The Tories demanding Sturgeon's resignation as she hasn't reopened the mines and resurrected Ravenscraig? ScotGov to mitigate pensions cuts in Scotland?
Get Tae.#Tories #pensions #indyref2 https://t.co/EZxh8vIf1S
A Tory calls SNP bad because they saved 300 jobs and kept a plant open for the foreseeable future. https://t.co/6NMQp9yRfg
— Doogs 🏴 (@Doogsta) August 16, 2019
Utterly stupid comment. An MSP who seems ignorant of the history of long- term decline of Scottish (& rest of UK!) shipbuilding. Does he even know of his Tory party's role? (see Ted Heath, Nicholas Ridley) #SNPBad dross. https://t.co/mhTrWDSyml
— Edward Harkins (@EdwardHarkins) August 17, 2019
Mind when these lads gave a shipping contract to a company with no ships https://t.co/B4d3wDGb4X
— Steven mcavoy (@stevenm030) August 16, 2019
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