OK, I’m not going on about all the Scottish Government subsidies the ‘islanders’ get because, according to Lesley Riddoch, it upsets them to be told about them but I cannot, just cannot, ignore the above claims.

Are there reports of government’s excluding the communities most affected from decisions which are crucial for their wellbeing in, for example, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, British Columbia, New Zealand or Washington State USA?

It seems there are. I’m shocked. Surely the Stornoway Gazette guy checked first.

Yes, there are reports and public criticisms in several of these regions of governments or authorities making (or failing to make) key decisions on ferry services with insufficient or no meaningful input from the most affected communities—such as island residents, businesses, freight users, and rail/passenger-dependent groups—despite ferries being essential lifelines for connectivity, economy, healthcare access, and daily life. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2026/02/03/business-leaders-criticise-lack-of-consultation-over-ferry-selection/

These issues often involve high fares, service reliability, pricing structures, contracts, or infrastructure, leading to protests, petitions, scrutiny reviews, and calls for better engagement. Formal consultations sometimes exist but are frequently described as ineffective, rushed, or ignored. Below is a breakdown by location based on available reports.

Channel Islands (particularly Jersey)There are clear, recent reports of explicit lack of consultation. In early 2026, the Jersey Chamber of Commerce strongly criticized the Government of Jersey for signing a 20-year concession agreement with DFDS (giving exclusive vehicle ramp access) without meaningful prior consultation with business leaders, retailers, or freight logistics experts. They argued this led directly to problematic flat-rate freight pricing, higher costs passed to consumers, and service shortcomings (e.g., slower sailings, vessel conditions). A Scrutiny Panel interim report and submissions echoed these concerns, contrasting it with Guernsey’s more consultative tender process. Businesses called for urgent reviews and better future engagement to protect the island economy. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2026/02/03/business-leaders-criticise-lack-of-consultation-over-ferry-selection/

New Zealand (Cook Strait/Interislander ferries, operated by KiwiRail)Reports highlight no consultation with key users on major decisions. In 2024, when the government canceled the iReX Interislander upgrade project (due to massive cost overruns blamed partly on consultants and scope creep), an industry expert publicly stated that rail users were not consulted beforehand. This severed the inter-island rail link for years, forcing costly workarounds. Broader criticisms included fast-track consenting for port infrastructure that limited local community input, political interference adding requirements without adequate stakeholder balancing, and decisions prioritizing cost-saving over user needs (e.g., tourism operators and freight). Opposition parties and analysts described the process as an “omnishambles” with insufficient debate. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/529180/government-did-not-consult-with-rail-users-before-cancelling-interislander-upgrade-industry-expert

Isle of Wight (UK, cross-Solent ferries) Communities have repeatedly raised concerns about being sidelined. Petitions (tens of thousands of signatures), protests, and MP interventions criticize the UK Government/Department for Transport for not delivering on regulation of fares/service despite manifesto pledges, ruling out nationalization or Public Service Obligations, and discontinuing projects like the Islands Forum Connectivity initiative. Proposals for a Hampshire and Solent mayoral authority explicitly excluded Isle of Wight ferry services from its transport remit, prompting fears of being overlooked. Businesses (over 35, including the Chamber) opposed the 2026 maritime Emissions Trading Scheme levy as rushed and treating islanders as “second-class citizens,” with no adequate infrastructure plans. Meetings on regulation have also drawn accusations of lacking transparency (e.g., uninvited constituents/media). https://onthewight.com/isle-of-wight-residents-launch-national-petition-to-end-the-island-tax-on-ferry-fares/

British Columbia (BC Ferries routes) Communities describe ineffective or performative consultations. Ferry-dependent areas (e.g., Sunshine Coast, Kootenay Lake, islands) have protested service cuts, strikes, and reliability failures, with local leaders stating they’ve endured “years of consultations” while conditions worsen. Mayors have urged the premier for action and a “restart” of public engagement processes. Historical examples include blockades and complaints that decisions (e.g., on vessels or funding) ignore remote communities’ lack of road alternatives, despite BC Ferries being a Crown corporation under provincial oversight. https://www.bcfmwu.com/news/communities-fed-up-with-bc-ferries-failures/

Washington State (Washington State Ferries/WSF) Formal mechanisms like Ferry Advisory Committees (FACs) and public meetings exist, and long-range plans reference community/tribal input. However, island and ferry-dependent communities (e.g., San Juan Islands, Vashon) report feeling politically weaker and repeatedly let down. Criticisms include poor communication on decisions (e.g., sudden contract terminations for reservations upgrades), chronic delays in fleet renewal amid crew shortages/service cuts, and insufficient prioritization despite governors acknowledging “unacceptable” impacts on residents (medical access, jobs, economy). Groups have banded together for legislative action, noting communities are not always united or resourced to influence outcomes effectively. https://www.postalley.org/2024/05/31/ferry-tales-how-the-system-broke-why-its-so-hard-to-fix/

What about Lesley Riddoch’s favourite, Norway? Next post.