Moray MP Douglas Ross says the refusal of the SNP-Green government to delay their short-term lets scheme for a year is a “hammer blow” for the tourism industry in his constituency.
Douglas’ remarks come after SNP-Green MSPs – including Moray MSP Richard Lochhead – voted against a Scottish Conservative motion that would have seen the legislation due to come into force on 1 October delayed by a year.
The legislation means that all those operating as a short-term let must apply for a licence by 1 October.
However, Douglas says that the SNP-Green government have repeatedly failed to listen to the “huge concerns” from short-term let operators and the tourism industry over the “flawed” plan and typically ploughed on regardless.
He criticised Richard Lochhead for not only voting against the Scottish Conservatives calls for a delay, but also being the SNP minister responsible for closing the debate for his party and failing to recognise that this could mean many short-term let operators in Moray could close their doors in a matter of weeks.
Douglas says that the plans could have “deeply damaging consequences” for the local economy in Moray, with the tourism industry being responsible for thousands of jobs in his constituency.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “The SNP-Green government’s short-term lets scheme is fatally flawed.
"That is why the Scottish Conservatives brought forward this vote in the Scottish Parliament to urge the SNP-Green government to listen to the sector and delay the introduction for a year.
“However, the SNP and Greens have typically ploughed ahead regardless rather than listening to the huge concerns from the tourism industry and short-term let operators, including right here in Moray.
“That is why it was particularly disappointing to see Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead not only vote against our calls, but also be front and centre for the SNP as he closed the debate for them.
“I heard repeatedly at my surgeries this summer how damaging this is going to be for operators in Moray, and I know Richard Lochhead has had the same representations as many said they were contacting him as well. That's why so many are disappointed he stuck to the SNP party line rather than representing his constituents.
“This scheme could have deeply damaging consequences for the tourism industry in Moray, given its importance to our local economy. It supports thousands of jobs in the area, but now many operators are at risk of shutting their doors forever, due to SNP-Green ministers refusing to listen to those affected.”
