IN his recent column George Kerevan mentioned the Scottish Government’s slowness to deal with the reorganisation of local authorities (It's time for the SNP to take the reigns on the independence debate, Jun 19). With this I agree. These bodies are often less than reasonable though. The shabby (and costly) way that Glasgow dealt with equal pay for their female employees comes to mind.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer plans to 'appoint dozens of peers to level playing field'
Other examples have come to light. The strange passion that Sheffield had for cutting down perfectly good trees against public opinion has recently brought about an apology. In The National Jackie Kemp tells about the rape of Pollok Park for a motorway though it had been given to the people of Glasgow in perpetuity (The Falkland land owner keeping woodlands accessible to all, Jun 20). Edinburgh escaped the same fate due to public pressure. It is impossible to imagine that city strangled by road systems meeting with Unesco approval.
The answer is the green principle of subsidiarity; passing power to the lowest tier of government possible. This would start with the independence of Scotland and devolution of power to local authorities, and a huge enlargement of the scope and responsibility of the lowest level, the community council. This would bring power to the people, the true definition of democracy.
Iain WD Forde
Scotlandwell
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel