Reform UK has been accused of selling Scotland’s fishermen down the river after ducking a key hustings meeting.
Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson maintains the party’s absence at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation event confirmed Reform was no friends of fishers.
He said: “The fact that nobody from the party could be bothered to turn up to this crucial hustings shows that the industry simply is not a priority for them.
“Our fishermen are being hammered by both the SNP and Labour governments who are both hellbent on selling them out in negotiations with the European Union and are totally detached from the reality facing them right now.”
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP argued the hustings was a chance to hear from fishermen directly and how important the sector is to coastal communities across Scotland including in his own constituency.
Mr Carson said: “The best way to ensure a strong voice for our fishermen in Holyrood following May’s election is to vote Scottish Conservative in key constituencies and on your peach ballot paper wherever you are in Scotland, rather than for parties who would sell them down the river.”