The First Minister started off his Wednesday campaigning by meeting senior Scottish Greens on the new Clydeside Council. The recently established council meets where South Lanarkshire once did, on Almada Street in Hamilton. Throughout their time in government the Scottish Greens have took local opinions firmly into account, with the policy of groups such as Wir Shetland being adopted almost in their entirety. Subsequent to the meeting the following statement was issued to the Press;

The First Minister and Scottish Green Party have always considered local opinions on issues fully throughout the previous term whilst in government. This is what a healthy relationship between Central and Local Government must look like, as no one knows Scotland’s communities better than those councillors who live, work and serve in them. The First Minister therefore reiterated his respect for Local Authorities and worked with senior councillors in order to develop a positive framework for future budgetary discussion. This is of critical importance as almost all of local funding comes directly from Edinburgh.

Also discussed was the First Minister being a champion of local democracy, and how politicians of all stripes wish to see as many people as possible, from all backgrounds, participating in the political process. As the town of Hamilton includes some of Scotland’s relatively most deprived areas this was of particular interest to those representing the town. The idea of going into community centres, talking to people at local shops in suburbs such as Whitehill and Eddlewood was developed, not to convince them to support any political party or ideology but to ensure that they appreciate how politics, particularly at this local level, will affect almost every part of their day to day lives. Alongside a concerted effort in clearing up the streets and investment into local schools this should show the difference democracy makes.

The party then left the council headquarters in order to make their way to Hamilton’s old Town House, now mainly used as a theatre and as the central library for the area. The First Minister made use of one of the external balconies of the early 20th century building and delivered the following speech to onlookers:

Local democracy is somewhat of a paradox, it has the least competencies of all and yet affects our daily lives the most. It exerts so much influence over us and yet most are disinterested by it. This will no doubt be one of the great historical questions for when people are looking back at our lives but we need to offer solutions for this growing problem. It cannot be right that barely half of the electorate turn out to vote, that simply gives disproportionate power to those that do head to their polling place, it makes our democracy flawed and that is unacceptable here in Scotland. Almost everyone can vote and virtually everyone who is entitled to vote is on the electoral register, that makes this merely a matter of engagement with the political process.

Politics, and politicians should not appear distant from the average community of our country for these are the people who we are supposed to represent. We must be seen to be making a difference to people’s lives and citizens must be engaged enough to recognise this. That starts st the grassroots level, heading into areas political parties haven’t ventured this millennium.

No one else is climbing the tower block across from the County Buildings, no one else is heading to Whitehill to campaign regularly. If people living in these areas do not see politics in the flesh then they will continue to consider government and all its arms to be incredibly distant. When I say that I am referring to both Brussels and Holyrood but also your new, more local Council. We have the power, energy and determination to change that though I’m sure.

That’s why I’m inviting all of you to come with me to knock on some doors this afternoon, to climb the some tower blocks and post some leaflets. Not only will those improve our campaign, or oils be transformative for the democratic life of the nation. That is a much better cause than merely putting me back in Bute House I’m sure you’ll all agree. Democracy dies in darkness, let’s brighten up some minds together.

Sticking to his promise, the First Minister then joined a group of local Scottish Green activists in leafleting Whitehill. This allowed some people who had never seen even their local councillor before to talk to passionate campaigners on day to day issues. All agreed that it was time well spent.