Folks, let's be clear-eyed about this 20-minute neighbourhoods push from the SNP and Scottish Government. They've rolled out guidance since 2024, calling it "local living", a plan to cram shops, doctors, parks, and services within a 20-minute walk or cycle from home.
They dress this all up as healthier, greener, and community-focused. But from where we stand, it's another step toward restricting our freedoms, more anti-car rules, net zero mandates, low-traffic schemes that fine drivers, and potentially trapping people in approved zones.
We have seen how these ideas slide into surveillance and control, just like the lockdowns we fought against.
In your town of Helensburgh, the Argyll and Bute Council is weaving this into their long-term Strategic Development Framework, talk of new housing, paths, and local living to cut car use. They tie it to things like the delayed cycle path to Dumbarton. Sure, safer local access sounds good on paper. But the reality? Rural Scotland like ours gets ignored, poor public transport, few local services for disabled folks, and plans that assume everyone can walk or cycle easily.
I see the real cost: having three disabled adult children have to travel to Clydebank for clubs because Helensburgh lacks proper support. If 20-minute neighbourhoods roll out without real investment, it could isolate vulnerable families even more, leaving people stuck at home while the government claims it's saving the planet. That's not freedom or compassion; it's top-down control that devalues real lives and burdens the disabled, elderly, and those without cars.
What Donald Trump Said at Davos
At the World Economic Forum in Davos this year (2026), President Trump didn't hold back on the green energy agenda, he called it a "new green scam" and tore into wind farms. He said countries like those in Europe are full of money-losing windmills that destroy the land and make nations poorer.
He pointed out: "The more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses and the worse that country is doing." He mocked how Europe buys these "ineffective" turbines from China (claiming China doesn't even use them much themselves), while Europe pays the price in higher energy costs and economic decline.
Trump warned: "If you don't get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail." He bragged about shutting down wasteful wind projects in the US and focusing on real energy that makes money, not loses it.
This does hits close to home in Scotland. The Grangemouth refinery closure is a heartbreaking example, where thousands of jobs gone, it was a vital industry and shut down because of net zero pressures and market shifts.
Many call it a suicidal policy, blinkered in chasing green dreams that kill jobs and energy security without proper backups. Trump's words ring true here, Europe's heavy bet on wind and green mandates is driving up costs, closing plants, and hurting working people, just like at Grangemouth.
The Bible calls us to be vigilant:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
And when earthly powers overstep: "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
We honour authorities as God-ordained (Romans 13), but we resist when they threaten our God-given freedoms, to move, to drive, to live without constant monitoring with what we are doing.
The Together Declaration has stood against vaccine passports, digital IDs, ULEZ fines, and net zero schemes that hit working families hardest. This "20-minute" idea fits right in, presented as helpful, but often leading to restrictions and less choice.
So pray hard, brethren, pray for exposure of any hidden agendas, for protection of our liberties:
"Watch therefore, and pray always..." (Luke 21:36, NKJV)
And pray for wisdom:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally..." (James 1:5, NKJV)
Folks we need to get involved and speak up at consultations, contact councillors or your MSP, join voices like Together Declaration.
Demand real local services, better buses, accessible clubs, safe paths, without the control strings.
The Lord, He values every life and will guide us. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1, NKJV)
Keep standing for freedom and dignity. He's with you every step.
God bless you richly, Peter
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