The Fairer Scotland Action Plan and Democracy

Abstract

In 2016 the Scottish Government produced its Fairer Scotland Action Plan which built on a number of Fairer Scotland conversations. This response specifically addresses the Action Plan as it relates to furthering democratic life in Scotland, which was one of its primary objectives. During the process of consultation which led up to the action plan, ‘public involvement in democracy was one of the most talked about issues in the conversation. There was a call for local people to play a part in decisions that affect them and their communities.’ (p12) The other aspects to this demand for democratic change was in relation to how public services relate to people’s needs and access issues particularly for rural communities. Whilst it is good to see the Scottish Government engage in this type of constructive consultative exercise and follow it up with specific proposals the response to the ‘most talked about issue’ is woefully inadequate.