Speech moving motion to Falkirk Council on 10.11.21
https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/coins/Agenda.asp?meetingid=3407
In moving this motion, I have to confess that there is a part of me that whispers that I should express a measure of gratitude to members in allowing me the opportunity to do so – but – over the course of thinking what I was going to say today, I’ve concluded, that this is the result of ridiculously deferential conditioning – so I am not going to.
We should be debating this and I shouldn’t feel privileged to be moving it.
Because,
In reality, action to acknowledge that Diversity, Inclusion and Equality are actually important in a functioning representative democracy at local level is long overdue.
These words – Diversity – Inclusion – Equality – have generally positive and aspirational connotations to me but uttered in certain spheres, often come with huffing and puffing from those who see them as nothing more than concepts pushed by the much derided “snowflake generation” or indeed upstart feminist disrupters.
Heaven forfend there are any of us in those categories here.
But the serious point is – do we – or do we not ??? – believe that democracy is richer – that decisions are better – the more diverse and representative those sitting round that decision making table actually are?
If we do, then it’s incumbent on us, as those round that table, to acknowledge the lack of diversity overall in local government and do what we can – limited though it may be, to try to combat it.
It’s often quoted that “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu” something which in recent decisions at council I have begun to feel particularly acutely when it comes to generational issues.
Despite the fact that increasing diversity in Local Government is one of COSLA’s key priorities, and the work done on a cross party basis to advance this however, I know that there are some members who would have wished this motion to go to Executive (if at all), but given the further limitation on diversity that this would place on debate, that only gives further concern. I concur completely with other members when they express their respect for Councillor Collie for example, but I am afraid those words ring rather hollow, if they are denying her the opportunity to take a full part on a motion in her portfolio, that affects families of all ages across Falkirk. And this pattern, whether it concerns, poverty, climate change or any number of universally important topics to our constituents, is yet another reason I have lodged this motion today. Recent meetings are another.
I make no apology for being angry about and bringing up the recent Full Council meetings. Indeed, I was again horrified by the expression of deference towards “our forefathers” having made wise decisions, decades before I was even born– and I am by no means a “young person” – as an apparent factor in decision making. To be blunt, it’s of no relevance whatsoever to our current decision making what our forefathers thought. I don’t know that there were any foremothers either, which pretty much illustrates its own point, but the same holds true. This was arguably the most important decision that our council faced in many years but it was made without the voices of the generations it would effect most, being considered front and centre by those proposing it.
I could quote all the various national statistics but we don’t need a complicated or detailed survey to see where the disproportion lies in this chamber and that’s despite the absolutely wonderful election of my new colleague Cllr Russell, who I am delighted is going to be following me in this debate.
Respected and valued though they are, we have 4 times as many David’s and twice as many Robert’s elected as members under 40, we have had budgets where less than a fifth of members voting successfully for the entire annual spend of the council were women. The entire cohort of women on the opposition benches would only be enough to fill the elected membership of one of our smallest wards. It’s not that all women, men, young, disabled or BAME people have the same priorities and views as each other – of course not – nor that any demographic has superiority or greater right to be represented. Quite the opposite.
It is the lack of balance, the lack of diversity, which is the issue and the effect it has on our democracy and the decisions which we make.
What this motion calls for is an acknowledgement that this is an issue and to take action to do what is within our power to try to mitigate it. So I would like to outline a few of those measures briefly:
Firstly, that we all suffer from unconscious bias, myself included and that without an awareness of this, our decisions are likely to be affected by a variety of different forms of bias. I know Cllr Russell intends to pick up on these themes, so I won’t go further down that track.
So further training as standard is essential, but so too are other parts of this motion, such as enhancing the role of EPIAs and addressing the tone of debate and discourse, which I believe make this a less attractive atmosphere for underrepresented groups, as well as just being downright rude at times.
And yes – I make no apology for saying – sometimes sexist and misogynistic in tone too. Examples can be provided but in the interests of brevity, I’m guessing most would rather I didn’t. Though if anyone is minded to 19.1 me, please try not to address me as Young Lady in your opening remarks.
Whether it’s this, or e.g. being asked what lipstick you had on to get a result on a local issue with an officer, their root comes from the same thing, a lack of respect – a demarcation of being different in value to others, and when that is highlighted, especially in public, it’s clear that we are not held in equal esteem to others.
So, there are parts of this motion designed to address that issue, to highlight that whether from elected member to elected member, or indeed with officers and staff, standards have not always been what they should be, and this presents a much less welcoming and conducive environment to others who are greatly needed to increase the diversity in the chamber.
Finally – If you can’t see it – you can’t be it. Something always brought home to me walking past the portraits of our entire history of male provosts on the way into council. I’m pleased that our SNP group here has a rare female majority with recent results. It isn’t enough though, because as Prof Mary Beard observes in her book, women in power, the institutions we are elected to, expect us to instantly change and conform to fit into systems designed by men, for men….and if we don’t, it’s us who are not fit for the job.
We have opportunity with more flexible arrangements made possible by new technology, to consider more fully the needs of others, be they in a variety of caring roles, those with disabilities and those with a wider array of less secure professions, which will also help the younger demographic in particular. That isn’t to say that the needs of those who may need support within a physical meeting environment are any less important, and I acknowledge and respect that – but minority groups are minority groups for a reason, and the needs of the majority shouldn’t be the thing which disenfranchises them.
Again, its is all about balance. Balance, respect, and a commitment to acknowledge the problems we have with achieving diversity and that while we are the poorer for it, we are determined to do what we can and to support the work of others externally in doing so also.
If making a commitment to inclusivity and better, more flexible arrangements makes it more possible for even a handful more BAME, young people, women or those with disabilities to have the reassurance to see themselves as a councillor, then we should do it and we shout about it.
There is little doubt in my mind that enabling change within the council is long overdue on this topic but that recent decisions and the coming election make this more acute than ever. I would ask the whole chamber for their support therefore, not only with the motion but in a commitment to embody the spirit of it to improve the quality of democratic debate and decision making for the good of Falkirk’s citizens.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/diversity-call-for-falkirk-council-25414581
Lift As We Climb 