Require all elected officials to walk, wheel or cycle to and for work.
When an ordinary person takes up an elected office, they become a role model for their community. They are given special privleges, and they are subject to extra scrutiny. We can use this to change how personal transport is perceived. As a sign of holding elected office, any elected official is no longer allowed the use of a personal automobile, but must use active and zero-carbon transport for their official duties.
Why the contribution is important
There are immediate and longer-term benefits that spring from this proposal. In the first instance, this will signal very clearly to the whole of Scotland (and the world!) that the Scottish government takes the climate emergency very seriously and requires positive action of every single elected official, from councillors on up. Second, it will force anyone standing for election to take their responsibilities much more seriously; if being elected as an MSP means that you must cycle to Holyrood — or walk to the railway, and then walk down to Holyrood—they will consider very carefully whether they wish to make such a commitment. If they do, they will understand immediately how hopelessly inadequate Scotland's transport system is now, and making that system better will become a subject of legislation and funding very quickly indeed! Our elected officials will become healthier, happier, and humbler people; hiding in a car is a very effective way of avoiding scrutiny. Over time, making the commitment to active zero-carbon transport will become a badge of honour, a symbol of integrity and commitment.
by wbtd on October 23, 2020 at 07:52PM
Posted by lesliesoulfire October 25, 2020 at 08:18
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by SteamboatWilley October 25, 2020 at 18:19
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)