For a long period there was one theme that recurred in the municipality: Should Haram be part of Ålesund municipality or not? – In the municipal division debate, people wrote on Facebook that they were so tired of people trying to lie down to join Ålesund municipality. I thought it was a bit special, says Katrine Pernille Beite. Suddenly she noticed that being a local politician in a smaller town changes parts of her private life. Ended up in a heated dispute after they moved to Haram The 42-year-old is Høgre’s mayoral candidate for the municipal elections in Haram. The mother of four lives in Tennfjord with her family. She has been active in politics for almost 25 years. The local politician noticed that there was a big difference between being a politician in Oslo and in Haram. Photo: Sara Lovise Roaldseth / news – I like to get involved. Being able to influence, get something done and create change in the direction I think things should change is my motivation for contributing politically. After she and her family moved from Oslo to Haram, there was a short break from politics. When there was talk of separating Haram from Ålesund again, she got involved again. Beite became one of the drivers for Haram to remain in the large municipality. The mother of four was surprised at how angry people were. – The municipal division case is special because it has been very emotional. I have never experienced such a feeling in politics before. Was it unnatural to chat at a football match? People express themselves in social media about the big talk in the local community. Someone said ugly things and was rude, including people she knows. After that, it was not as natural to chat during the football match at the stadium or in the shop. Katrine Pernille Beite wants everyone to get involved politically. She wants everyone to express themselves factually so that people do not refuse to get involved. Photo: Sara Lovise Roaldseth / news – I have experienced that people see another way, or have turned and gone another way, before I meet them, she says. She noticed that something was happening in the local community and that it was unpleasant to be one of those who came forward. – Seen in isolation, you can say that it wasn’t that bad, but it is the sum of the whole thing that becomes burdensome, says Beite. Katrine Pernille Beite thinks it is important to remind people to be respectful towards each other, even if you may have different political views. Photo: Sara Lovise Roaldseth / news She believes it is important that people want to get involved in local politics. Beite is afraid that people will not be able to bear it if the discomfort becomes too great. – Then we lose as a local community and as society in general. We need people to contribute, with different opinions, and pull the load in teams to develop the local community. The extent of harassment online is increasing Valforskar Bjarte Folkestad says that the role of a local politician is complex. – You know each other better and you know what people stand for, but at the same time it can be extra demanding to make decisions and say things about important matters. Electoral researcher Bjarte Folkestad has a PhD in comparative politics, and is now a professor at the University of Volda. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news The election researcher sees an increase in incitement and threats against public authorities, and especially online and in social media. This could be a danger to democracy. – If it is the case that people do not want to stand on lists, refuse to take the floor or do not want to deal with important but sensitive issues, then the sum of this can be a danger to democracy, says Folkestad. I hope people think about Katrine Pernille Beite, who advises everyone to get involved in politics, even if she has had periods that have been stressful. Because she believes there is great value in shaping the local community for the best. Photo: Sara Lovise Roaldseth / news Katrine Pernille Beite wants everyone to get involved and ask questions of the politicians in the election campaign. But she still hopes that people think before they speak, and do so in a respectful way. – Being polite and decent is what we teach the children, and is something we adults should also take to heart in many contexts.
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People have turned around when they have met Katrine in the shop
