tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28918367.post6912087386213381680..comments2024-01-06T02:49:32.833+00:00Comments on Scully's Blog Spot: My Small Footnote In ManchesterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14547393240463525682noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28918367.post-86861263964097081262009-10-10T18:03:25.324+00:002009-10-10T18:03:25.324+00:00The chances as you judge them seem not too bad. I ...The chances as you judge them seem not too bad. I think that to increase the likelihood of reform, advocacy and expertise are needed. We have proposed that a centre for the study of democracy should be founded, so that we in UK can learn more about how citizen-led democracy works in practice. The accumulated knowledge would us help to achieve "state of the art" regulation and procedures of democracy. Do you know anyone who might like to help promote this proposal?<br />MichaelINIREF I&Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04707269392858513584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28918367.post-20365027690853572192009-10-10T15:32:04.812+00:002009-10-10T15:32:04.812+00:00Michael
Thanks for the links and I'm glad you...Michael<br /><br />Thanks for the links and I'm glad you're keeping an eye out on your ex-home.<br /><br />Citizens' Initiatives were mentioned in the session introduced by Caroline Spelman, Shadow Communities and Local Government Spokesman. Lord Bates, the CLG spokesman in the Lords appeared very keen on the idea, repeating the statement that you quote from 'Control Shift.' On that basis, I am quite hopeful that this will get on the statute books.<br /><br />Every speech or briefing that I go to, I get ever more confident that the Conservatives will put their money where their mouths are in introducing direct democracy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14547393240463525682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28918367.post-49125052434602106592009-10-10T15:17:44.638+00:002009-10-10T15:17:44.638+00:00Adding to George Young's reply about direct de...Adding to George Young's reply about direct democracy: In section 3.3. of the Tory green paper "Control Shift" we find, "The right of popular initiative is a feature of many political systems in the developed world. In Switzerland, people have mechanisms for direct democracy on almost everything from planning applications, to the precise use of tax resources, to medical ethics. Perhaps the most famous expression of American civic independence is in Oregon, where the system known as “citizen initiative” was introduced as long ago as 1902.<br />Under the Local Government Act 2003, local councils can choose to hold referendums on any local issue. But there is no mechanism for residents to petition for a local referendum per se.<br />We will give power to residents to hold local referendums on any local issue by legislating to ensure that a referendum is held in a local authority area if 5 per cent of local citizens sign a petition in favour within a six month period." UNQUOTE <br><br /><br />The above applies to the local government level. In a recent BBC radio broadcast David Cameron 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). <br><br /><br />What do you think are the chances that these forms of democracy will be introduced if the Conservatives win the next election? <br><br /><br />Regards,<br><br /><br />Michael Macpherson <br><br />Guildford, ex-Carshalton<br /><br><br />I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum<br><br />Campaign for direct democracy in Britain<br><br />http://www.iniref.org/<br><br />http://www.iniref.org/steps.html Basic presentation<br><br />http://www.iniref.org/case.html The case for more democracy<br><br />http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/i-and-r.gb sign up for reformINIREF I&Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04707269392858513584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28918367.post-884793094267207902009-10-10T07:59:01.925+00:002009-10-10T07:59:01.925+00:00who ironed your shirt....who ironed your shirt....Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00208641858068962050noreply@blogger.com