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As the debate regarding the introduction of a lobbying register in Scotland rumbles on (and on), it’s hard to escape the latest lobbying scandal to hit the headlines.

Edinburgh MP, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, finds himself at the centre of a continuing media storm around those cash-for-access allegations. If you, like me, listened to Monday morning’s BBC R4 interview with Sir Malcolm you probably didn’t have much sympathy for the man who, at that point, was adamant that there had been no wrong doing and intimated that the MPs salary of £60,000 was not enough live on.  A few of his constituents might also ask why he doesn’t think representing them is a full time job. For us public affairs professionals, or “evil lobbyists” as we prefer to be called, once again we had a lobbying scandal missing one crucial element… Lobbyists!

It is a shame that Sir Malcolm didn’t claim a ‘terrible cold’ or ‘excruciating mind blank’ like Green Party leader Natalie Bennett MP.  It would appear that Ms Bennett has come out of what was a car crash interview with London’s LBC radio on Tuesday where she was unable to answer questions about her party’s policies, like a phoenix from the flames, with many arguing that it’s only human to make mistakes. Some have even suggested that the apparent faux pas makes Ms Bennett more appealing to vote for.

Assisted Suicide Bill

At Orbit Communications, we have been working with Green MSP Patrick Harvie on the proposed Assisted Suicide Bill. Last week, the Health and Sport Committee concluded the evidence sessions on Stage 1 of the Bill and thankfully Patrick was on top form when it was his turn to give evidence with not even a sniffle or a pause to put him off when it came to demonstrating that the proposed law is fit for purpose. And a further poll found that 28% of voters are more likely to vote for their MSP if they back the Bill. 

Community Engagement

I’ve recently returned from a trip to Kintyre to carry out some post-submission community engagement on what is a tricky onshore wind farm application. There is huge potential for the local community to benefit through funding for projects over the long-term as well as for local businesses to take part in the construction process but many locals remain unconvinced by the principle of having wind turbines in their region.

Up until this week I have been a firm believer and vocal advocate of community engagement and its purpose. However, I may have been a bit naïve in my assumption that a Government that introduces a Community Empowerment Bill might actually want to listen to what communities have to say.

Last week a project that I was involved with, again a major onshore windfarm application, was refused planning permission by the Scottish Government over ‘serious concerns over cumulative impact and adverse landscape and visual affect’.

“Fair enough” I hear you say, but this particular application was very different to any that I have worked on before in that the local community was almost entirely supportive of the scheme and had even actively campaigned to get it approved. This community is one that has been left desolate and devastated by the cessation of coal mining and who very much viewed this particular wind farm application as an opportunity to kick start their local economy and give their young people hope for their futures by creating sustainable local employment opportunities.

To me this development presented a win-win situation: The Scottish Government would be a step closer to delivering its 2020 renewable energy targets and a deprived and often forgotten community would have the opportunity to flourish. Where does it get that opportunity now?