A community divided

I referred in yesterday's blog to subterranean rumblings but today they burst out in full view. The front page of the NEN makes for dismal reading ... a wee history lesson first...

in the mid 90's local government reorganisation meant that the regional and district councils merged to form a single tier of local government. At that time I was appointed chair of the Pilton Partnership, the organisation tasked with local community regeneration. My first decision was to try to bring together the 5 neighbourhoods which comprised 'Greater Pilton' as a single entity, to eradicate the divisive tribalism of Muirhouse, West Pilton, Granton and so forth. Henceforth the area was to be known collectively as 'North Edinburgh' not Greater Pilton, and activitists were encouraged to think beyond their local loyalty while budgets were used on an area -wide, as opposed to small neighbourhood, basis. It took a lot of time, energy and commitment from many, many people - mostly experienced activists who saw the benefits - to create a united approach but largely, we succeeded.

It didn't prevent local disagreements (Lesley, Billy and I were as guilty as anybody of falling out about priorities but we were forced to come together because our committed activists were telling us what they wanted). Always, community interests came first. It's easy to say that this approach was possible because all 3 local councillors were Labour but anyone will tell you that a politican's bitterest critics are always from within your own Party. What we never did was allow our personal differences become the subject of community division - we always left the community to make up its own mind.

One year on from the elections, with a new electoral system that has given North Edinburgh representatives from 4 different Parties, we are looking at an entirely different landscape: not because the majority of activists think any differently - they are all still interested in their community and doing their best for it - but entirely because two or three malcontents (people who make trouble in an empty room) now have the ear of Politicans who think their Party Political interests are served by listening and acting on ill informed gossip.

Naturally, people have the right to take contrary points of view - that's what makes for democracy, and I personally have no problem arguing with folk who make their view known candidly and openly. I respect those folk even if I don't agree with them.

What I can't be bothered with is the wee group of chatterati who don't know enough, deliberately distort the little they do know and then point the finger at everybody else when predictably things come crashing about their ears.

It is a very sad day when the NEN carries a headline 'A Community Divided'. Cuts in the Fairer Scotland Fund may have been the catalyst but the actions of a tiny few (both activist and politician) have accelerated the process. I fear that North Edinburgh divided may mean North Edinburgh defeated.

My job as a North Edinburgh politican is to try to get the best deal for the community I represent - I sincerely trust that is the reaction of my 3 ward colleagues too.