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IR+R NEWS - news about democratic reform, citizens' initiative,
referendum, recall of elected officials. A service of
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
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October 2009

IN THIS NEWSLETTER THERE ARE THREE ITEMS ::::::::::::::::::::

1) MP3 AUDIO: DAVID CAMERON PROMISES CITIZEN-LED DEMOCRACY NATIONAL AND LOCAL

2)
CITIZEN-LED DEMOCRACY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

3) LOCAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENT OPPOSED TO MORE DEMOCRACY

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MP3 AUDIO: DAVID CAMERON PROMISES CITIZEN-LED DEMOCRACY NATIONAL AND LOCAL

In a recent BBC radio broadcast David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party,  may be heard saying that the citizens' right to initiate a referendum would also be brought in at  country/state level. (Source: BBC radio 4. Beyond Westminster: The case for replacing or revising our system of representative democracy. September 2009). A sound clip may be heard or loaded down here CAMERON
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CITIZEN-LED DEMOCRACY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

EXTRACT  FULL ARTICLE
In almost all modern states there is a clear distinction between
constitutional and other law. Commonly, it is more difficult to change
constitution. For instance, a "super-majority" of elected
representatives may be required and an indication of regional consensus
needed. These measures serve to indicate how importantly constitution is
regarded. There are very good reasons to distinguish constitutional from
other law and to treat it with more care.

For decades, across the world, it has been accepted and practised that
only an electorate -- The People -- may enact a state constitution. In
many countries, a number of them in Europe, NO change can be made to
state constitution unless (a) the electorate has been informed and
consulted (b) a broad and extended public debate has been enabled and
organised (c) a referendum (plebiscite) has been held for the final
decision. READ MORE
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENT OPPOSED TO MORE DEMOCRACY

In recent decades government and opposition have competed in offering suggestions to improve involvement of voters, citizens, in running public affairs. Most people (shown by research) regard voting in an election once every few years to be a very poor way of taking part. In surveys over 70 percent of adults approve that an agreed large number of voters should be able to trigger a referendum on any public issue.

Local government officials and politicians have voiced strong opposition to the introduction of citizens' initiatives which could lead to plebiscite, that is a referendum which can overrule the council. NLGN* appears to echo and amplify this fear, which is partly attributable to unfamiliarity with the procedures of citizen-led democracy. The "alternative" offered by NLGN resembles a petition. The council is not obliged to enact on the proposal and no referendum of the electorate is foreseen. This would make voter frustration even worse.

In democratic governance, if a vote is needed, there will usually be winners (majority) and losers (minority). These change profile from issue to issue. (Consensus is by no means excluded.) By claiming that minority rights will be abused if the electorate gains more say, NLGN unjustifiably raises fear. Which scenario of abuse do you predict?

We replied to a similar article at the web site of "Public Service" at http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=10593

More about citizen-led democracy may be found via our web site www.iniref.org
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I&R ~ GB

*NLGN = New Local Government Network

A reply to http://www.progressonline.org.uk/Magazine/article.asp?a=4682
Community proposal. Tory plans for local referendums need more thought. 08 September 2009
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I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
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