The unbuilt incinerator
A company wanted to locate a controversial waste incineration facility in a particularly densely populated area. After taking guidance from its lobbying firm, it decided to arrange a meeting with the local MP to ‘sound her out’. The MP’s secretary took the call from the lobbying firm. They explained that there was a potential major new development in her constituency and they would like to get views. An appointment was arranged between the chief executive of the waste company and the MP.
When the MP went through her diary with her secretary the next day, the appointment with the chief executive in four weeks’ time was noted. The MP asked her secretary to be sure to make a note to raise the issue with her constituency chairman, who was also the leader of her political grouping on the local council.
A week later they met, and the constituency chairman said that any plans by a waste company would be strongly resisted. Something similar had been mooted some years ago and there was uproar. However, he would take some further soundings, particularly in the area that was considered last time. The MP naturally stressed the need for confidentiality at this time.
A week later, the MP reported back by telephone that there were still the remnants of an action group called FIRE (Firhaven Incinerator Resistance Effort). The local parish council and the residents’ association would also no doubt be up in arms.
When the chief executive and the MP met the following week, she was very non-committal, but stressed that there would be substantial opposition to the incinerator. The MP was a scientist by training and the chief executive was confident he could win her over by rational arguments about the safety precautions and the need for the facility. The chief executive outlined the technical reasons why the incinerator was needed, with numerous diagrams, pointing out how unobtrusive it would be and why her constituency was the best location. He also hinted there might a substantial package of ‘goodies’ on offer. She showed no interest in these.
Analysis
After all, 18 months before a general election in a marginal constituency, what other outcome could have been expected? The incinerator still has not been built.
Starting at the top of the ‘’power pyramid’ is a waste of time. It is rather like being helicoptered onto Mount Everest with the intention of walking down. It proves nothing. In fact, it can be damaging. As we shall see, the place to start is in the foothills among the people.
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