The Bristol Citizens Panel

Submitted by JMB on Sat 24/May/2008

A while ago, I wrote about Citizens' Juries, which are, depending on your point a view, a form of direct democracy or a cheesy photo oppportunity and a rubber stamp on preexisting political decisions.

In Bristol, a Citizens' Jury is constructed by a mix of random people approached on the street and members of the existing "Citizens' Panel", which is purportedly "Bristol's Biggest Think Tank".

 

When I was putting my original post together, I decided that I'd sign up for the Citizens' Panel. Well today is a big day for me, as I have just received my official certificate of membership, signed by none other than Chief Executive Jan Ormondroyd.

I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to participate in a Citizens' Panel or Jury. The key message I will be offering to inform local decision making will be "stop taking my money". If you'd like to do the same, then call the "Corporate Consultation Team".

Comments

Stronger democracy

Submitted by IandR on Sun 25/May/2008.
Better than citizen panels, consultation and the like is partial direct democracy. The citizens' initiative and citizen-triggered referendum enable genuine participation of the whole electorate, with input into public policy. See more detail at http://www.iniref.org/

Partial Democracy?

Submitted by JMB on Sun 25/May/2008.
I like the concept of Referenda, and particular American-style balloted Budget Propositions, although your campaign seems to be focussed on national issues, whereas I deal with the local. From my point of view, the same outcome - greater liberty - could be achieved most easily by reducing the scope of the state and severing most of the ties between local and central government. The element of your proposal of which I'm sceptical is your implicit validation of a separation between citizens and MPs. I dislike the concept of politics as a separate profession - a separate class the Marxists might say - and view it as a vocation, not a career. JMB

Partial direct democracy

Submitted by IandR on Mon 26/May/2008.
Having the "initiative" is an important freedom -- freedom of expression, specifically the right to formulate a proposal and put it to one's peers for judgement. We at I&R – GB propose the initiative and referendum for all levels of government, from central "up" to local. The *indirect* initiative (exists in some USA states) has some advantages over the simpler *direct* ballot initiative. The indirect initiative proposal after successful endorsement by voters goes before council or parliament for debate and decision. If the MPs or councillors agree to pass the proposal into law then a referendum may be avoided. If the proposal is rejected then a binding referendum must (in our proposal) be held. This procedure (indirect citizens' initiative) increases communication and interaction of electorate and parliament. Sometime compromise can be reached without resorting to ballot. Even some politicians learn to love direct democracy (a bit) because e.g. controversial issues can be dealt with without sacking the government. "Reducing the scope of the state" and changing balance of power between local and central organs (c.f. "localism" as proposed by UK conservatives and other parties) are matters of constitution and should be decided by all the electorate, after debate, in referendum .