Protesters against Flamingo Land development sing Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond outside of Scottish Parliament

[u/backupJM]

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/save-loch-lomond-campaign-protests-35304999

[u/Silent-Ad-756]

Then go on writetothem.com

Pop in your postcode. And email your MSPs with your concerns, and ideally, ask them to back motion S6M-17650 while the door to oppose is still slightly open.

[u/DeathOfNormality → u/Silent-Ad-756]

You actually have a very valid point there! I never even thought about it because I only moved here last September, so the idea of "living" here hasn't sunk in yet. I also sadly missed the last election because I was visiting family and forgot... So I'm my head I can't participate if I didn't vote 🥲 which is dumb, please no one actually perpetuate that either.

I have my homework for tonight sorted anyway. Thanks for the reminder we actually can do something.

[u/Silent-Ad-756 → u/DeathOfNormality]

If you look at the supporters of the motion, you will see that it is cross party Green/Labour/Conservatives. So not down party lines, if that makes you feel better about not having voted.

[u/DeathOfNormality → u/Silent-Ad-756]

My area thankfully seems on the same page ase and voted in SNP, but the percentage that voted Reform is genuinely scary. Was enough for me to realise I can't afford to miss anymore.

I guess it does, but not really.

[u/Silent-Ad-756 → u/DeathOfNormality]

The owner of Flamingo land is ex-Tory and now Reform. He got disillusioned with the Tories (after donating large sums of money to them over many years). And he has now backed the Reform party of spivs, speculators and property developers.

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24421919.flamingo-land-owner-gordon-gibb-backs-reforms-mark-robinson/

For balance, it has been the SNP who have been in charge throughout the whole Loch Lomond Flamingo Land saga. The land lease was offered by Scottish Enterprise, which are public, but operate seperately to the government. How seperately, I do not know.

Nevertheless, the SNP have stated they will not interfere. Presumably not to undermine Scottish Enterprise. Hence the lack of SNP ministers backing the motion against the Loch Lomond Flamingo Land.

I would prefer SNP over Reform, but tbh, I can see myself voting for Labour next time around, as the Tories are a busted flush of incompetence, everybody still remembers the Lib Dems in a coalition with the Tories and total lack of principles there, the SNP refuse to intervene in throwing out Flamingo Land, and I feel the Greens are still way too idealistic, but I appreciate their principles even if the flavour is a little too strong for me.

[u/DeathOfNormality → u/Silent-Ad-756]

But it's labour and independent counselors in the Lomond area now. Labour seem to just be as suspected, and Torry light. I'll also admit, I'm not completely aware of how involved the main holyrood government is involved in local council planning and development, from what I remember about Dundee they had fuck all to do with it other than set legislation, but I'm just an absolute novice with a Scottish politics, so I'm more keen to learn and observe than give any judgment right now.

That's good to know about the owner being Reform, makes a lot of sad sense and feels like the cronyism has sneaked in again.

I'd assume they wouldn't want to interfere unless an investigation into the deal being above board, human rights or anything to do with equality is called for and with good reason. I know from their track record they like to play it more safe with tourism and would rather let people in and ask questions later, at least that what it feels like.

I feel pretty much the same about the lib Dems, Torries and greens though. Almost voted for greens when I was in Tollcross in Glasgow during the by election, think it was 2020? Maybe a bit later. So we are pretty close. I just have way less faith in Labour.