Lone voice of influence

March 2nd, 2009

The long-running campaign to stop disabled parking abuse reached a satisfactory end last week.

The disabled persons’ parking bill received the assent of the Parliament and will pass into law later this year.

This will mean those bays reserved for blue badge holders will now be legally enforceable rather than just advisory.

And hopefully it will bring an end to the widespread abuse that make a simple trip to the shops a nightmare for disabled people.

I became convinced of the need for action after a conversation with a constituent, a young woman who was a full-time carer for her elderly mother.

She described to me in graphic terms the amount of time, energy, physical effort and planning that was involved in taking her mother to the supermarket, her weekly outing.

They then faced the disappointment of unable to park in a disabled bay, and she told me of her anger and frustration of being denied that parking place by an inconsiderate able-bodied person.

I was able to recount that woman’s difficulties in last week’s debate at Parliament and hopefully that family, and Inverclyde’s other 4,700 blue badge holders will benefit from this legislation.

That initial contact was enough to persuade me that this was a cause worth taking up.

I was involved in the scrutiny of the bill at committee stage and gave it my full backing right through.

I am sure may of the other MSPs who cast their vote in favour of it did so after being alerted to the issue by a constituent.

It proves that power still lies with an individual and if people make their voice heard, they can influence the political process.