Wednesday 1 August 2012

What is the Point of Democracy?

I'm referring to the Scottish Government's decision to overturn the decision by Dumfries & Galloway Council to refuse planning permission for the proposed windfarm at Wigtownshire.

The residents are against it, as are the council, saying it would adversely impact the area.

But oh no, nothing can stand between Salmond and his plan for 100% renewables.

The company, RES, said the windfarm would bring social and economic benefits to the community.

What benefits? Will energy prices suddenly plummet?

I live in sight of two huge windfarms - my electricity prices keep going up. Windfarms are subsidised and cannot provide the energy when it is truly needed. People are starting to get sick of bloody windfarms appearing on every hilltop.

The Scottish Government reporter overturned the decision of the Council, which was democratically elected by the "people of Scotland" - in this case Dumfries & Galloway. Apparently there are a number of "conditions" attached. Perhaps the turbines will be painted pink. They are a feeble attempt to make the Government look like they have paid close attention. No they bloody haven't. I'll bet the project was always going to get the green light, since anything else would upset Government policy on renewables.

What is the point in democracy when central governments continually override local councils? It happened with Trump, and it's happened here.

Had there been a Labour government in power, you can be damned sure that the nationalists would have been baying for blood.

There is a need for renewable energy sources, but we need ones that really do bring the costs down, without subsidies and stop blighting the landscape.

This Government also needs to start listening to the people who voted them in, something that is becoming rarer by the day.

2 comments:

  1. So much for independence, autonomy, self-determination blah, blah.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes

    Local democracy does appear to be a sideshow for the SNP.

    I think they've taken a leaf out of Margaret Thatcher's book with this attitude.

    Tartan Tory as a moniker might end up being rightly recycled.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete