– We politicians are elected as lay people. And we are not necessarily good at writing readers’ letters. Therefore, it is completely typical and common practice that we get help for this kind of thing, explains Søren Smalbro.
He justifies the reader’s letter with a rather negative mood towards fishing – especially that with trawling.
– But two-thirds of all fish that are landed are in the ports of the six North Jutland municipalities. So we wanted to nuance the debate about trawling, he says.
– Trawl fishing is a general term for fishing. 90 percent of the fish that land on our plates are caught with trawls of some kind. And a goal to phase out trawling completely by 2040 would mean that it was “game over” for Danish fishing. It is no longer. Then we would have to buy foreign fish caught by trawl. Is that what we want – no, I wonder, says the mayor about the reason for the reader’s letter.
Therefore, he and the five other mayors Mogens Gade (V), Jammerbugt, Niels Jørgen Pedersen (V), Thisted, Hans Jørgen Bertelsen (V), Morsø, Tobias Birch Johansen (V), Læsø and Birgit Hansen (S), Frederikshavn went Municipality together on the reader’s letter.
– We have a North Jutland fishing network which has existed for 17-18 years now. There we have six municipalities where fishing is an extremely important industry. The fishing associations also sit on the board. When we feel that we must have a debate paper out, then, just like in the old days, we could sit in a circle and agree on each and every sentence, or we can say to those who have an understanding of this: “Make a draft”. And then we take it to the board, and that’s what we did here, he states.
The board then received a draft of the reader’s letter dealing with fishing with trawls, where there has been a lot of public criticism of the use of trawls in particular.
– Then we chewed through the draft in the board, and we decided that we could be on target for that. And then it was sent on, explains the Hjørring mayor, who is chairman of the North Jutland fishing network.
He emphasizes that the post, the moment the six mayors put their autograph under the reader’s letter, then it is the mayors’ position that is expressed in the reader’s letter.
– Then you get ownership of the reader’s letter. You have to respect that, and therefore it must never become a rubber stamp that you, as a politician, just put on, says the mayor and emphasizes in the same breath that you must of course be critical of lobbyists.
– But before I became mayor I was – and still am – a pig producer. I don’t know anything about fishing. Therefore, we need to have someone help us write it. Who presses the buttons, I see as somewhat unimportant, states Søren Smalbro.
He calls the practice of letting interest organizations sit at the table as “used”.
– If they don’t sit at the table, then you hear them just what they want. And fool me: Ten thousand lobbyists are employed in Brussels. And they write thousands of letters for the EU politicians, and fool me again if they are not also approved of course, but also used, says Søren Smalbro.
He acknowledges that politicians must never send letters to readers from lobbyists without approval.
– Where it becomes dangerous is if the politicians just per reflex applies a rubber stamp without settling into the case. Then it becomes dangerous, but that is not the case here either, they say from the mayor.
He states that Thisted’s mayor Niels Jørgen Pedersen (V), who is also a co-signatory of the reader’s letter, was not present at the board meeting where the reader’s letter was approved.
– Unfortunately, he was prevented. But I informed him by phone, and he has also approved it, states Søren Smalbro.
2024-09-16 09:31:28
#Mayor #readers #letter #rubber #stamp
How do lobbyists influence political decisions in the context of the trawling fishing controversy?
Table of Contents
The Reality of Politicians and Lobbyists: A Closer Look
As the controversy surrounding the reader’s letter on trawling fishing continues to unfold, Municipality Mayor Søren Smalbro has come forward to defend the practice of seeking help from interest organizations in writing letters to the editor. In a candid interview, Smalbro explained that politicians, as laypeople, often require assistance in crafting well-informed and nuanced opinions on complex topics. This article delves into the world of politics and lobbying, exploring the blurred lines between political representation and external influence.
The Trawling Debate
At the heart of the controversy is the perceived negative impact of trawling on the fishing industry. Smalbro, along with five other mayors from North Jutland municipalities, co-authored a reader’s letter aimed at nuancing the debate around trawling. The mayors argued that a complete phase-out of trawling by 2040 would have devastating consequences for Danish fishing, leading to a reliance on foreign-caught fish. This stance has sparked debate about the role of lobbyists in shaping political opinions.
The Role of Lobbyists
Smalbro acknowledges that politicians often rely on experts from interest organizations to help draft letters and shape their opinions. In the case of the trawling controversy, the North Jutland fishing network, which includes six municipalities and fishing associations, collaborated on the reader’s letter. Smalbro emphasizes that while the draft may have been written by someone with a deeper understanding of the industry, the final product is still a representation of the mayors’ collective stance.
The Fine Line Between Collaboration and Influence
The mayor’s defense of the practice has raised questions about the influence of lobbyists on political decisions. Smalbro argues that it is essential to have experts “at the table” to inform debates, but acknowledges that politicians must ensure they are not simply rubber-stamping lobbyist-approved opinions. While he concedes that lobbyists can exert significant influence, Smalbro believes that their involvement is a necessary aspect of the political process.
A Necessary Evil?
The mayor’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the role of lobbyists in politics. With an estimated 10,000 lobbyists employed in Brussels alone, it is clear that their influence reaches far beyond local politics. While some argue that lobbyists are a necessary evil, providing much-needed expertise to politicians, others see them as a corrupting influence, undermining the democratic process.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the reader’s letter on trawling fishing has shone a light on the complex relationship between politicians and lobbyists. While Smalbro’s defense of the practice raises important questions about the influence of external interests on political decisions, it also highlights the need for politicians to engage with experts and interest groups to inform their opinions. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the lines between political representation and external influence are often blurred, and it is up to politicians and voters alike to ensure that the democratic process remains transparent and accountable.
Keyword Strategy:
Politicians and lobbyists
Trawling fishing controversy
Municipality Mayor Søren Smalbro
North Jutland fishing network
Interest organizations
Lobbying in politics
Democratic process
Transparency and accountability
Meta Description: Explore the complex relationship between politicians and lobbyists, and the controversy surrounding the trawling fishing debate. Discover the blurred lines between political representation and external influence, and the need for transparency and accountability in the democratic process.
– How do politicians influence public opinion through collaboration with lobbyists?
The Role of Politicians and Lobbyists in Shaping Public Opinion: A Nuanced Debate
As the debate rages on about the role of politicians and lobbyists in shaping public opinion, a recent controversy surrounding a reader’s letter has brought to the forefront the complex dynamics at play. Søren Smalbro, the mayor of Hjørring, has come forward to defend the practice of politicians seeking help from interest organizations in drafting letters that reflect their stance on key issues, including fishing practices.
At the heart of the controversy lies a reader’s letter drafts written by the North Jutland fishing network, which represents six municipalities where fishing is a crucial industry. The letter aimed to nuance the debate about trawling, a fishing practice that has faced criticism from environmental groups and the general public. Smalbro and five other mayors from the region co-signed the letter, sparking concerns about the influence of lobbyists on politicians.
The Need for Expertise
Smalbro emphasized that politicians are elected as laypeople and may not possess the expertise to write informed letters on complex topics like fishing. He defended the practice of seeking help from interest organizations, stating that it is “completely typical and common” for politicians to do so. “We need to have someone help us write it. Who presses the buttons, I see as somewhat unimportant,” he said.
The Importance of Ownership
Smalbro stressed that when politicians put their signature on a reader’s letter, it becomes their official position. “Then you get ownership of the reader’s letter. You have to respect that, and therefore it must never become a rubber stamp that you, as a politician, just put on,” he added.
The Role of Lobbyists
The mayor acknowledged that lobbyists play a significant role in shaping public opinion, but argued that their involvement is inevitable. “If they don’t sit at the table, then you hear them just what they want. And fool me: Ten thousand lobbyists are employed in Brussels. And they write thousands of letters for the EU politicians, and fool me again if they are not also approved of course, but also used,” Smalbro said.
The Dangers of Rubber-Stamping
Smalbro cautioned that politicians must never send letters to readers from lobbyists without thorough approval. “Where it becomes dangerous is if the politicians just per reflex applies a rubber stamp without settling into the case. Then it becomes dangerous, but that is not the case here either,” he assured.
A Call for Transparency
The controversy highlights the need for transparency in the relationship between politicians and lobbyists. While seeking help from interest organizations may be necessary, politicians must ensure that they understand the issues at hand and take ownership of their stance. As Smalbro aptly put it, “We politicians are elected as lay people. And we are not necessarily good at writing readers’ letters.”
Conclusion
the debate surrounding the reader’s letter drafted by the North Jutland fishing network serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in shaping public opinion. As politicians navigate the intricate web of interests and lobbying, it is essential to strike a balance between seeking expertise and maintaining transparency and accountability. Ultimately, the public deserves to know the truth behind the letters that shape their opinions and inform their decisions.
Optimized Keywords:
Politicians and lobbyists
Public opinion shaping
Fishing practices
Trawling
