Gillian Martin has shamefully refused to meet with community groups across Scotland, including those in her own constituency, who are worried about large scale energy projects damaging their communities.
Join me in calling on Gillian to meet with residents by adding your name to my letter below.
Dear Gillian,
I am writing to, along with the residents named below, to urge you to finally meet with your constituents and local community groups regarding the proposed construction of pylons, battery storage sites, and substations across rural parts of Aberdeenshire.
Residents have been faced with these proposals for quite some time, and given the length of time this process has been ongoing, it is deeply disappointing that you have still not taken the opportunity to engage directly with those affected. Communities feel ignored and excluded from discussions that will have a lasting impact on their local environment and way of life.
While I appreciate that, as a Minister, you must take care not to prejudice yourself ahead of any formal applications, that does not preclude you from listening to the views and concerns of your constituents. Indeed, doing so is an essential part of your role as their elected representative.
I am also concerned that, by meeting with SSEN but not with those in the affected communities, you are entering a dubious area in relation to the Ministerial Code, which makes clear that Ministers must avoid any perception of bias or preferential treatment.
I therefore urge you to do what is right and meet with your constituents and community groups without further delay. They deserve the opportunity to be heard directly by their local MSP and Minister, not left feeling that corporate interests are being given priority over their own voices.
