I&R

citizens' initiative and referendum


SUPPORT THE CITIZENS' BALLOT FOR BETTER DEMOCRACY

Subject: Arguments for stronger democracy - Ballot
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:59:52 +0100
Newsgroups: alt.journalism.newspapers, uk.education.teachers, alt.uk.law,
                 uk.gov.local, alt.politics.british

In Britain we currently do NOT have the right to call a referendum on an important matter of public concern. A referendum may be organised by the government but the result is not legally binding, only advisory.

The reform proposed here is to establish the right of citizens to introduce their own proposals or laws to be put to binding referendum, and the right of the electorate to veto laws passed by parliament or council. Using the citizens' initiative a law proposal can be put before parliament, if rejected there it will go to referendum of the people.

An agreed number of supporting signatures must be collected to start
these procedures. This type of "direct democracy", side by side with
"representative democracy", is already well tried in Switzerland, many
states of the USA and elsewhere. The reforms are proposed for all levels
of government from parish, to city to country.

Further information may be obtained from
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R http://www.iniref.org/
or from info@iniref.org

On the ballot paper, you are asked to show your support for the
introduction of citizens' direct democracy in Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. We invite you to help by collecting signatures yourself.
Signature counts will be published online and made available to mass
media. Names, addresses (postal, e-mail) will *not* be published in
order to avoid unwanted communications and advertising.

BALLOT FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN BRITAIN
The people of Britain and Northern Ireland shall have the right to
call a binding referendum on important public issues by collecting
a previously agreed number of signatures, and the right to put
forward a public proposal by citizens' initiative.

Vote ONLINE
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/i-and-r.gb

BALLOT PAPER, download, collect endorsements
http://www.iniref.org/referendum-gb.pdf
 


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