A World Changed – A Democracy Short-changed – A Humanity Diminished

When thousands have died through the wilful and irrational acts of terrorists it is difficult to see around these acts to glimpse the future. But it is certain that the world’s agenda has been wrenched from the comparatively mundane to issues of civilisation’s survival.

It was entirely right that the Scottish Parliament abandoned normal business and that party leaders from across the political divide in Scotland joined together to reflect on events in the United States of America.

On the evening of the 11th people stood in disbelief on the concourse of Waverley Station in Edinburgh and openly wept. I felt a sense of lethargy, then anger and finally immobility.

The morning commuters stood unnaturally silent on the platforms. Each seemed captured by private thoughts.

But as the days go on we shall all – governments, citizens, businesses – have to reshape our world in defiance of those who oppose rational debate.

Defence

After the attacks in the States, the issue of national defence will be one which exercises many. SNP members will shortly be debating their attitude to membership of NATO for the first time in a number of years. Until now the argument has been between those who gave priority to entering a military alliance for improved defence and those who refused to join because NATO was armed with nuclear weapons which could kill large numbers of civilians.

I suspect that recent events indicate that the world faces threats against which the nuclear bomb is little deterrent. With many new nations queuing up to join NATO and the focus moving strongly to the fight against terrorism, I suspect that the old argument is dead and that we may see new thinking.

The Internet

The Internet has become a major source of news and information in recent times. At times of crisis I know of many people who now turn first to it. A distributed system that avoided the concentration of computer power in a few places that earlier systems required, it was designed to strongly resist physical attack. As far as I can see it has been unaffected by events over the Atlantic.

Parliament has been debating the provision of ‘broadband’ communications in rural areas in recent days. The technologies that deliver it are vital if we are not to be left behind in allowing our businesses easy access to promote and sell their goods internationally.

I wonder now whether we are witnessing the end of the city. Probably not, but just as the Internet is distributed and can survive attack, so concentration of activity and decision-making in cities creates large targets vulnerable to small numbers of determined attackers.

Provided we get modern communications, and a modern affordable transport infrastructure, we could see the start of a rural revival. And not one based on 'The Good Life’ model of opting out but rather of towns and villages becoming closer to the core of our 21st century society.

Neighbours

Leader of the House from Westminster, Robin Cook has been visiting the Scottish Parliament to see how it’s done when you start with a blank sheet of paper. And his comments certainly suggest that he thinks there are lessons to be learnt. One of these relates to the role of committees.

I joined two of committees this week and besides being impressed by the relatively consensual way in which they operate, I was concerned about the workload. Just how adequate scrutiny of the government’s business could be provided by a smaller parliament is hard to see. Every one of our 129 MSPs has a real job.

One of the most interesting things in the Justice Committee this week was discussion about the Protection from Abuse Bill. It became apparent that the term abuse is very widely drawn. In response to my question the Deputy Minister for Justice revealed that it could be applicable to neighbours, even relatively distant neighbours, who create problems through abuse. And furthermore any breach of an interdict granted under this bill can be treated through the criminal justice system.

Although it will be some time before this bill completes its progress through Parliament, it does illustrate the useful cross-party work being done.

Community Councils

I took part in a cleanup of some streets in Banff recently. Someone used to say to me that if the Parish pump is working, everything’s OK in the world. Our Community Councils come in all shapes and sizes. Some are very active and others seem all but moribund.

But sometimes it is simple ideas that energise. And Banff & Macduff Community Council organised the cleanup thus taking practical action in response to community concerns. Getting a Councillor and an MSP (me!) along to help on a very wet Sunday morning meant that other elected representatives can’t hide from what’s going on – or not!

Well done the Community Council.