The day the Scottish Parliament came to town

Just recently, I’ve become, I guess, an activist. This started after the Independence Referendum – well – I was a ‘keyboard’ activist prior to that – by maybe a couple of months. I’ve always had strong beliefs on certain issues, as you’d see from my facebook statuses, but not when it comes to running the country, or even, running the community –  to be honest, i’d never really thought about it. Then, something funny happened. We had that Independence Referendum, which to my disbelief, we lost. But that wasn’t the funny thing. The really funny thing,  was my sudden interest in politics! If, you’d said to me at any time, in say the last 6 months even, that i’d be excited about the Scottish Parliament coming to town, well, you probably couldn’t publish my reply! So far, this new found activism has culminated in, joining the SNP,  helping to set up a local branch of Women For Independence – and lots, and lots of tea, biscuits, and meetings.  And then today, I attended a Community Engagement event at Lochaber High School, hosted by the Scottish Parliament, about the Community Empowerment Bill. I must admit, when I walked into the room, filled with mainly suited and booted men, I thought –  I really shouldn’t be here. Sat around a table, with John Wilson MSP as spokesperson for the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, we were to engage in conversation about the bill – and I really felt out of my depth. Luckily, John G (Caol Community Council), spoke up about the planning of the new Gaelic School sports hall in Caol – and the lack of consultation with the residents, and Liz P who I also knew (but only recently since attending all these meetings!) spoke up about planning issues in her area, amongst many other issues. I didn’t contribute much, but I did listen as a lot of really valid points were brought up. Basically the issues centered on the local communities having a voice, making their own decisions, and being consulted instead of being told what was happening in the local areas – for instance, proper consultation on pertinent planning applications. It was suggested that if, the forestry for instance, was selling off land , the local community should have first refusal. There was talk of more allotments being made available, and possible community run market gardens where it was suggested they could sell their produce. We also touched on whether air weapons should be licensed but that was all we really had time for. All in all, it was a pretty positive meeting, the MSPs seemed interested in our views and were taking them with others to the formal meeting in the evening. I didn’t stay for more tea and biscuits, and ducked out as the meeting ended, but was happy I attended, and will hopefully be more at ease the next time! Next stop, Faslane – tbc…………….