In Scotland, local democracy is meant to give every citizen a voice. The reality, however, is far from this ideal. Across our 32 councils, the rules for petitions, public questions, and deputations differ dramatically. One council may accept a petition with just 20 signatures; another may demand 500. Some allow digital submissions; others block them entirely. Some respond promptly to questions; others leave residents waiting indefinitely.
Councils take wildly different approaches to public participation. In some, questions can be asked on any matter affecting the community; in others, questions are limited to agenda items—or not allowed at all. Deputations—requests to speak directly to councillors—are sometimes ignored, mishandled, or outright blocked.
Consider the examples: Clackmannanshire Council does not allow deputations or public questions at all. In Dundee, RAAC homeowners and campaigners have repeatedly been refused the chance to raise urgent safety concerns because councillors declined to include the issue on meeting agendas. Elsewhere, people face confusing procedures or a complete lack of guidance on how to engage with local decision-making.
This inconsistency isn’t merely inconvenient—it’s fundamentally unfair. Across Scotland, the strength of your democratic voice depends not on your right to be heard, but on where you happen to live. That is a postcode lottery of democracy, and it must be addressed.
This postcode lottery of democratic rights is unfair, opaque, and deeply concerning. It is precisely why I submitted Petition PE2198 to the Scottish Parliament: to call for standardised, fair, and transparent public participation procedures across all councils in Scotland. Every citizen should be able to engage with their local government on a level playing field.
The Scottish Government’s Response
On 27th November 2025, the Scottish Government provided a written submission on my petition. Their response was disappointing. In essence, it said:
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National standards could be introduced, but the Government doesn’t have enough data to know if this is practical.
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Councils are independent entities, and the Government respects their autonomy. Any decision to standardise participation should come from councils themselves.
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Existing initiatives—Open Government reports, participatory budgeting, children’s rights frameworks, and guidance—already support public participation.
While these programs are valuable, they do not solve the fundamental problem: there are no enforceable minimum standards. Citizens still face arbitrary barriers depending on where they live.
As I said in response:
“Autonomy cannot be a shield for inconsistency. Democratic rights should not be determined by a postcode lottery.”
“A lack of data is not a reason for inaction—it is evidence that the system needs reform.”
“Councils may be autonomous, but citizens deserve basic fairness, transparency, and accessibility in every corner of Scotland.” Read my response (here)
Our Rebuttal to the Government
In my formal rebuttal to the Public Petitions Committee, I made clear that the Scottish Government’s reliance on council autonomy, lack of data, and unrelated initiatives fails to address the issue at hand. I highlighted:
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The postcode lottery of participation rights, which disproportionately affects marginalised groups.
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COSLA’s inability to impose voluntary reform if councils choose not to cooperate.
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The need for national minimum standards—not voluntary guidelines—to guarantee fairness and accessibility.
“Minimum standards for public participation are not an attack on local democracy—they are essential protection for democracy itself.”
“Right now, a citizen’s ability to be heard depends entirely on where they live. That is unacceptable in a modern democracy.”
Our Open Letter to COSLA
Following the Government’s advice to raise the issue with COSLA, I sent an open letter to both the President and Chief Executive of COSLA. In it, I formally requested that they:
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Review the concerns raised in Petition PE2198.
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Consider whether national minimum standards for petitions, questions, and deputations would improve transparency, fairness, and trust.
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Provide a formal response on whether COSLA is willing to explore voluntary alignment or other steps.
“COSLA has a unique opportunity to lead on strengthening local democracy in Scotland. Citizens deserve clear, consistent rules for participation, not confusion and arbitrariness.”
The open letter is intended to make it impossible for COSLA to ignore the democratic inequalities currently embedded in council procedures.
Why This Matters
The issue of fair public participation is not abstract. It affects real people—families, young people, and communities who want to engage with their local councils but are blocked by arbitrary and inconsistent rules. Without national minimum standards, Scotland risks leaving citizens frustrated, disillusioned, and shut out of the decisions that shape their lives.
“Democracy is more than elections—it is every citizen’s right to be heard, to ask questions, and to hold their representatives accountable. We cannot allow that right to depend on where someone lives.”
This fight is about empowering citizens and ensuring that local democracy lives up to its promise. COSLA now has the opportunity to act decisively and show that Scotland’s councils can be fair, transparent, and accountable to all.
Next Steps
I will continue to push this issue through the Public Petitions Committee and public channels. I encourage citizens across Scotland to engage, speak out, and demand equal democratic rights in every Scottish council.
This is not just a petition—it is a call for fairness, transparency, and equality in the heart of Scottish democracy.
Please sign my petition: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2198/
