Copy of email sent today (14/01/13) to Scottish ministers etc

Now that the festive break is over, I expect some action to be taken by our elected representatives. Have any of you taken Elma Murray to task for the disgraceful decision to refuse the business owners of Largs the right to know how many of us were deprived of a vote ?  We number 30 to date, which is a scandal. Why should this cover-up be allowed to continue ? We have a right to know how many of the 140 were also disenfranchised. We have, of course, sought a review of that decision.

 Next, we want to know who will handle the appeal. Since Derek MacKay has the job of promoting BID in Scotland, we consider that to have him adjudicate would be a conflict of interest. We are entitled to a fair hearing, and the justice of a re-ballot.

We do not accept the claim that the Scottish government can do nothing to stop BID setting up a registered company on 19th January.  As it is already apparent that the "yes" ballot result was obtained by excluding so many of us who would have voted "no" from a vote  (30),  and , of course those who were mis-led or intimidated into voting "yes", those who did not receive information to enable them to make an informed vote,(approx 25), and other abuses declared at the public meeting on 29th November.  So the result should be set aside pending a re-ballot. 

We have been disgusted by the repeated assertions by Elma Murray etc that we all received a 20 page business plan and ballot paper, when we know this is untrue. The lack of response from North Ayrshire Council to our enquiries is shocking, and now the obstruction of the determination of the exact number who were excluded from the ballot which, so far, has produced no censure from MSPs.  The Scottish government authorised the BID process, so the responsibility to undo this wrong lies with you, our elected representatives. We expect you to take action. We are entitled to justice in a legally binding vote. The buck stops with you.

WHAT EXACTLY WILL MSPs DO to give Largs traders justice ?