by The Rt Hon Donald Wilson Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh
Last week’s vote brought intense debate, delight and disappointment depending on how you marked your ballot paper, but the sheer number of registered voters who turned out to cast their vote highlights Scotland’s renewed appetite for engaging in democracy.
As the turnout proved, people in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland and more engaged and excited about politics and democracy than they have been in a long time. Over 84 per cent of the people in Edinburgh who were registered to vote did so last week, and that is why I am delighted that the Council is now enabling the public to scrutinise and engage with local decisions, by webcasting more meetings than ever before.
The latest meetings to be added will cover key decisions on topics of interest to the public, including changes to sporting facilities, health initiatives, and arts and cultural events that take place in the city. From decisions on town planning and Edinburgh’s roads, to changes to local bin collections, parks and libraries; people across the Capital will be able to tune in to decisions that affect them and their communities.
I attended the service of reconciliation at St Giles on Sunday, which aimed to unite Scots and put political differences aside. The Church of Scotland Moderator, the Rt Rev John Chalmers, led the Cathedral service and he invited me to represent Edinburgh and stand united alongside John Swinney of the SNP, Douglas Alexander of the Labour party, and Better Together’s leader Alistair Darling.
Around 1,000 people joined the service, aimed at helping people in the Yes and No camps come together after the intense referendum debate, and I am delighted it was so well attended. The world looked on during this debate and I am glad it has been conducted with – overall – a lack of violence and hostility and true engagement and interest.
The engagement in the democratic process must be continued, and in Edinburgh, the new webcasting service is going to be just one of a number of initiatives to promote openness and transparency throughout the Council. We are also piloting e-voting by councillors, which will give greater transparency as to how councillors vote on key decisions.
If you would like to follow the live broadcasts, please sign up to receive email updates about what’s on at the webcast website or follow the #edinwebcast hashtag on Twitter, and find out more on the Council website.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
