Brexit, Corbyn Labour and citizens' direct democracy: our collected comments
MM
mm at iniref.org
Wed Sep 28 14:47:10 BST 2016
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1. APPEAL TO PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFEFOR ACTION IN AND
COMMITMENT TO THE MOVEMENT FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY (below)
2. *Our comments, latest are below – scroll down to read, or
search for headers.*
*
BREXIT MEANS BREXIT SAYS OUR PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY. *
*BUT WHAT DOES BREXIT MEAN FOR PEOPLES' POLITICAL RIGHTS AND
DEMOCRACY?*
* Ways to better democracy after UK "brexit" referendum
* Our comment on a (later) 4 million strong petition for a
second referendum on EU membership
* People's political rights and sovereignty after the
Brexit ballot. Easy but effective ways to improve our
democracy
* UK Parliament must take back control: brexit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Labour Party could win supporters and mobilise
non-voters by proposing genuine citizen-led direct
democracy. Sept 2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Ways to better democracy after UK "brexit" referendum*
June 2016
Statement by Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
<http://www.iniref.org>
After the Brexit result many are now asking, should we have
more referenda or do they do more harm than good? This
invites the question, can we improve the quality of our
democracy and the ways in which we conduct our public affairs?
Our democracy is way out of date and badly designed so that
elected politicians often fail to represent the majority of us.
In recent years Government and Parliament have carried out
ballots, referenda about: Scottish independence; the House
of Commons electoral system (alternative vote); the European
Union. As ruling politicians see it, with these ballots they
were asking the people for their opinion about an important
public issue. The results of these votes are *not* legally
binding but are only advisory and may be ignored by the
government of the day. This is weak democracy of poor quality.
In our opinion our state needs more and better democracy,
not less. The right to initiate a referendum should belong
to the people (acting through the electorate) and not lie
only, as now in effect, with the government.
What is meant by "more and better democracy"?
For instance, a large number of voters should be able to
start a veto referendum of government policy or make a
formal proposal for electoral decision (ballot) on new law.
See more detail at http://www.iniref.org
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/enter.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Our comment on a (later) 4 million strong petition for a
second referendum on EU membership*
Dear (Correspondent),
Thank you for reminding us about the e-petition for a second
referendum about the EU. Now (20:45 on June 26th 2016) there
are 3.3 million endorsements.
Parliament may debate this proposal but, as we, the
electorate, have no formal right to demand a referendum, the
House would not be obliged to comply with the request.
Because the "Brexit" referendum process – instigation,
campaigns, level of participants' information and public
debate – were all deeply flawed, there is a case for
another, early, referendum on this matter. To do this well
we should rapidly introduce well-designed democratic
procedures such as the citizens' proposition ("initiative")
and voter-instigated, legally binding referendum. A
constitutional basis for this innovation in UK is already in
place: in the Convention of Civil and Political Rights which
says that citizens have the right to take part in their
government both directly (on public issues) and indirectly
at elections. This Convention has been ratified by
Parliament and so the new regulations could reasonably be
introduced, at least for emergency use, by a government
order (then no need to wait for H o L and Queen ;-))
Our campaign group Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~
GB / www.iniref.org would be happy to advise MPs and other
people or groups on how to proceed with the introduction of
a more citizen-led democracy : We can refer to a panel of
experts in design of modern democracy.
Regards,
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/enter.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
Power2People: Campaign for DD in GB
<http://www.iniref.org/enter.html>
People's political rights and sovereignty after the Brexit
ballot. Easy but effective ways to improve our democracy*
Many voted for Brexit in order to "take back control" of our
country from faceless bureaucrats in Brussels. But did we
ever stop to think about what control WE 46 million plus
voters, citizens have over parliament and the politicians we
elect to "work for us"?
It is accepted that the elected parliament can supervise and
over-rule all bodies, companies, plus all other entities and
persons in the state.
This is the meaning of "parliamentary sovereignty".
With "parliamentary sovereignty" the parliament can apply
the power of the people to control and manage public affairs.
However if the people wish to select and decide on any
public issue, exercising their "direct" political rights,
then they are entitled to do so.
Methods which enable an electorate to apply these direct
political rights include the people's law proposition which
can lead to a law-making referendum and the citizen-launched
veto-referendum which can be used to block bad or unwanted
government or parliamentary actions or laws.
For the future of our democracy, for constitution building
and also as a way to resolve some uncertainties in the
Brexit drama, we should urgently consider introducing best
possible, modern democracy (see e.g. Swiss and other
regulations and Constitutions about political rights).
Regarding Brexit: Serious commentators have suggested that a
second EU referendum should be held, to allow the people of
the UK, this time having knowledge of terms and conditions
negotiated with the EU and better informed about the whole
issue, to consider whether we should leave or decide to
remain in the European Union.
A referendum desired and launched by a large part of the
electorate would have more weight and democratic legitimacy
than a "plebiscite" like the Brexit ballot which was in
effect imposed by the Conservative government, as a way to
solve its own internal feud and to fend off the election
threat posed by UKIP.
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/enter.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I&Rgb logo <http://www.iniref.org/enter.html>
*UK Parliament must take back control: brexit*
Now in early autumn 2016 our elected members of parliament
should exercise the power which they hold for us by
responding clearly and decisively to the EU referendum which
they called!
The UK parliament enacted the EU referendum. Legally it
seemed to be a consultation of the people. In June the
result arrived. We propose that Parliament should respond to
the referendum which it called, to the people, in order to
determine what will happen now. A parliamentary resolution
about this could be issued, further, law could be passed to
govern how things shall proceed. Matters to be addressed
include:
The government and political circumstances have
substantially changed so should there be an early general
election?
Parliament must show how we will proceed, for instance:
Who will determine if or when and under which
circumstances the EU exit article can be triggered?
Will there be a referendum to decide if negotiated or
prospective conditions for leaving the EU are acceptable to
the electorate or not?
If there is to be another ballot about this then surely
it could be organised and structured better than the one
which we have seen in 2016.
Statement by:
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
The Labour Party could win supporters and mobilise
non-voters by proposing genuine citizen-led direct democracy*
Our comment to The Independent newspaper 25 Sept. 2016
Win votes for LP by promising the citizen-launched
referendum, law-proposal and veto-ballot.
Labour is way behind in the polls and Corbyn's chances of
winning the next general election look slim. Opposing
Theresa May's grammar school idea may win a few votes but
not enough. Labour will need some good and convincing policy
proposals. In the "brexit" ballot the "leavers" voted to
take back control of our government. So, why not promise as
a political party to give more control of (our own) public
affairs back to the people?
Around 75 percent of eligible voters at the last general
election did NOT vote Tory. According to repeated surveys
around the same proportion of British adults support the
introduction of direct democracy, for instance that a large
agreed number of voters can make a public proposal and so
trigger a binding ballot to decide the matter. Probably
there is considerable overlap of these two "populations".
So, please lobby to place the introduction of elements of
local and central direct democracy, to complement
"representative" and party democracy, centrally in future
Labour Party policy :-)
Michael
for
www.iniref.org
KH replied to the above, referring to the just re-confirmed
leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn: "He's also spoken
briefly about direct democracy (some kind of digital
referendum system)."
INIREF replies:
The last Labour gov. published ideas about empowering
citizens through direct democracy (e.g. Hazel Blears,
Communities minister). The Power Inquiry (2004-6) came up
with some good suggestions (e.g. Recommendation 24. Power
Report) but after the report Gordon Brown did not get
further than the idea of gov. managed citizens' juries – a
form of consultation of "the public" by a ruling government:
not very empowering :-(
The Con/Libdem coalition (2010) promised to introduce some
elements of citizen governance (e.g. 5 percent of electorate
could obtain a local referendum on any issue of local
government) (David Cameron had promised in 2009 to introduce
"citizen-instigated" ballots at *national* level too) but
the coalition did not keep the promises.
So here is a field where Labour could show how things can be
done better.
The idea of having "political rights" (*between* elections)
as a citizen is close to the heart of many people. The
"tools" of direct democracy enable people in all walks of
life to put forward proposals to their peers and to say "no"
to unacceptable policies.
He's also spoken briefly about direct democracy (some kind
of digital referendum system).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
He's also spoken briefly about direct democracy (some kind
of digital referendum system).
*APPEAL **TO PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE
****FOR ACTION IN AND COMMITMENT TO THE MOVEMENT FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY*
*OUR FIRST MAJOR GOAL**
*
**
**
*Act of Parliament to enable the introduction and effective operation
of **citizen-led **direct democracy across Britain and N. Ireland at all
levels
of government. With the "tools" of direct democracy we can begin to
build community and to regain supervision of our public affairs, guiding
and correcting the political parties, councils and parliaments, when
need be.
INVITATION
This reform of our constitution and democracy, which would benefit many,
demands a strong movement of people and society. Please look at our plan
(Strategies ...) sketched below in the colour spectrum and consider how
you might be able to contribute. What do you think about this plan?
*
gb+i map
*Working title of the proposed law:*
*THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT 2016/17/18 ....*
Strategies, locations. foreseen actors for the Direct
Democracy GB campaign are sketched below. Where can you
fit in? See Contact below.
*
GRASS ROOTS AND COLLECTIVE ACTIVISM*
/Space/spheres:/local/ country-wide/*focus: parliamentary
constituencies/*international **/Actors: /citizens/ members in
organisations, unions, NGOs/ staff in public services/ students/
academics. THIS MEANS YOU :-) and me. We invite co-operation and also if
you wish to set up a new direct democracy initiative, project, campaign
or action group then please go ahead .... let us know how you fare*,
*ask us for help if you need it.
approach, discuss with
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
/Spheres: /Mainly constituency-based organising and contact-seeking.
Lobbying via acquaintance, professional or business contact etc.
/Actors//: /Mainly//MPs' own potential voters, constituents and supporters.
contact, persuade, cajole
CANDIDATES FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
/Sphere: /Mainly parliamentary constituencies during run-up to
elections. /Actors:/ As above. Request candidates to promise support
(if elected) for the Direct Democracy Bill. Invite them to sign our
"pledge" (ask us for detail).
discuss, inform
LOCAL COUNCILLORS
/Tactic: /Suggest that local councils can introduce methods of direct
democracy. They could publicly announce readiness to accept citizens'
proposals e.g. policy or planning, which if supported by many residents'
endorsement could trigger a referendum. Councils can agree in advance to
abide by the people's ballot decision.
question
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS
During debates about the Localism Bill these organisations outed
themselves as bastions of opposition to local direct democracy.
/Tactic:/Write to ask why they opposed the citizens' referendum and
publish their reply. Try reasoned argument ;-)
call to action
TRADE UNIONS
Members of trade unions and officials are requested to promote a union
policy favouring the introduction of direct democracy for local and
national government. We are keen to discuss if trade unions could
formally adopt a DD proposal. Reform to our system of democracy is a
matter of state constitution and so may not fall under any legal ban on
union political activity.
seek co-operation, discourse, support
CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNITIES, NGOs, RELIGION-BASED GROUPS, MEDIA PROJECTS
We ask groups and organisations to include direct democracy among their
reform demands and to make own initiatives such as press releases,
meetings which thematise DD, videos, broadcasts, internet actions and
other forms of presentation and promotion.
Contact
*e-mail <mailto:info at iniref.org> info at iniref.org**
http://www.iniref.org/enter.html*
**
*facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/fred.directdemocracy>
https://www.facebook.com/fred.directdemocracy*
**
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https://twitter.com/yourballot twitter
<https://twitter.com/occupydd1>
https://twitter.com/occupydd1*
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