Direct democracy in a new Scottish constitution?

[mm at iniref.org]

In a letter to The Scotsman newspaper, Michael Duncan wrote, "Democracy 
is more than just about people voting for who governs them, it is also 
about having proper institutions that provide a check on the powers that 
government wields." (link) 
<http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/letters/get-accountable-1-3524207>


'Tis rather amusing that someone, from a UK perspective, offers the 
Scots advice about democracy.


Nevertheless the sentence quoted above is wise.


Certainly, a House of Lairds, as a second chamber of parliament, is not 
what we want or need. Nor is a constitutional court adequate to provide 
"checks and balances" in a parliamentary democracy. For constitutional 
matters perhaps, but for everyday politics of state, no.


A better way to scrutinise, supervise and, from case to case, correct 
our elected representatives would be to apply some methods of direct 
democracy. With "the brake" the people can veto a bad or unwanted 
government proposal or law -- using the optional referendum. With the 
"gas" (accelerator), an agreed, large number of citizens can put forward 
a proposal (citizens' initiative) which must go to binding referendum of 
the whole electorate.


Recently an expert in constitution wrote, "And for big decisions there 
is of course the referendum; if it is appropriate to use direst 
democracy to determine the independence question why not use it for 
other major decisions which Scots will make in the future?" (link) 
<http://ukconstitutionallaw.org/2014/06/24/stephen-tierney-leaving-westminster-constitutional-supremacy-in-an-independent-scotland/>


Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/  Link to site index
http://www.iniref.org/carta.htm  Election campaign call






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