THERE is growing enthusiasm for moves to bring an international festival of democracy to Rothesay.
Speaking in Rothesay this week, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told The Isle of Bute News he is in full support of the festival coming to the island.
For too long, democracy has been stuck in the Central Belt. There’s a complete disinterest from the Scottish Government in our rural communities, and Rothesay would be the perfect place for the festival of democracy.
It is a great development for the island. Good for people, good for business, and an ideal opportunity to make time to talk about the things that are important to our communities.
It’s time to bring politics out of Edinburgh and get it into our communities.
Former Lib Dem MP Alan Reid said the people’s meeting has his support. I think Bute is a great place to host the festival, and I’m giving it my total backing.
Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto told this newspaper: It is really exciting to hear that Bute is being considered, as this would bring a great boost to the island.
Bute will be a perfect venue, with a highly engaged community and excellent hospitality. Democracy matters, and having such a welcoming location will, I hope, result in positive outcomes for everyone.
A series of meetings will be held over the coming weeks, with Argyll and Bute Council fully behind the initiative to bring the event to the island.
One other community is competing to be host, but the MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Brendan O’Hara, said he did not believe Pitlochry should succeed in this race, as it doesn’t have the Bute effect.
The island’s Business Improvement District (BID) is also behind the move to secure the festival, saying it would offer enormous positive potential for business and tourism growth.
