ALT Quote - "The many initiatives to improve citizen engagement and participatory practices in Scotland have almost all failed to engage working people, not least because they haven’t put real power in the hands of recognisable communities.” Dave Watson. Director of the Jimmy Reid Foundation.

ALT Quote - "In 1974, there were over 200 local councils in Scotland, however, by 1996, there were only 32. Who decided we should become so delocalised? You can be sure it wasn’t the communities who lost their power." Ewan Aitken. Foremer Leader, Edinburgh City Council

ALT Quote. “What really builds connections is allowing people the means to run the places where they live. Community is a product of shared interest, talking together, thinking together about what to do and then doing it together. It is mutual giving and receiving, the basis for trust and could be the basis for the best lives and the best places.” Willie Sullivan, Senior director for the electoral reform society

ALT The 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament offers an opportunity to revisit unfinished business and address a serious democratic deficit... We need to engage the people of Scotland in a discussion to build a consensus on how best to build a local Scotland and bring us into line with European democratic norms.” Esther Roberton - former coordinator of the Scottish constitutional convention