TOWARDS CITIZEN-LED DEMOCRACY

OPEN CAMPAIGN FOR UK PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS

FRAME ONE

Setting the scene

Most politicians oppose strong democracy, the sort in which the electorate, citizens are able to participate effectively. Once elected, politicians want to be in charge without having to worry about interference by the people who elected them. The people's view is that a bit more control of politics and the ability to better steer our own public affairs would be good for all of us.


Many people feel that politics and government in Britain do very little for them. A large majority agree with the essential principle of direct democracy, that an agreed number of voters should be able to put forward a proposal and demand a referendum about it. This reform would give us "partial direct democracy" -- parliament and government would continue to function much as before, doing most of the work of running the country. From time to time though, on some public issues which we select, the electorate would take over responsibility to decide a matter of law or constitution directly. This is a very effective way for the electorate, The People, to influence and guide what politicians do in our name.

To obtain this reform we need straightforward guidelines for the new methods of democracy. We can model them on other countries. The most obvious way to proceed would be by passing a law in parliament which provides working rules, e.g. for the citizens' law-proposal and veto-referendum.

To get a law like this passed we clearly need a majority of MPs in the House of Commons. A bill would be presented by a political party or a group of convinced MPs.. How can the electorate, We The People, arrange for the necessary majority to emerge? The rapid answer is "an effective reform campaign". Some ways to do this have already been published. One effective tactic is to show prospective MPs that they will ONLY be elected if they promise to support the campaign, and the direct democracy reform law in parliament. How can this be done? Here's the secret: In the run-up period to elections we must approach candidates, party campaign offices and central offices, with the message

SUPPORT PEOPLE-POWER DEMOCRACY (PLEASE) OR LOSE MY VOTE !


GO TO
FRAME TWO

The election-campaign
plan-of-action







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