In a Daily Telegraph piece today Janet Daley wrote

"So what is all this stuff Mr Brown is mouthing about radically changing 
the way we are governed, and initiating a "new way of communicating with 
the public"?"

Devolve power in the NHS? It's just Brown re-inventing himself
(Filed: 25/09/2006)

Our reply, which may just not appear among the "moderated" on-line comments:

As far as I know Gordon Brown has not made clear what he means by "new 
politics" and a stronger role for the individual in public life (see my 
comment "Localism or citizens' democracy" http://www.iniref.org/blog.html)

Janet Daley urges our political leaders to try to understand "the 
central importance of this struggle between the authority of public 
bodies and the power of private individuals".

How can the power of citizens -- "private individuals" -- be exercised 
and functional in public affairs, including "services" and government? 
Voting for political candidates every five years has proved to be 
inadequate.

In the reform debate growing attention is being paid to a mixed system 
of direct and indirect democracy. This does NOT mean getting rid of 
parties and parliaments. Most policy making, central and local governing 
continue to be done by politicians and civil servants. Direct citizens' 
democracy comes in for instance when there is a political impasse or 
failure to act by government, civil service or quango. An agreed, large 
number of people may put forward a proposal which may be debated in 
parliament or council. If need be, the proposers may insist that a 
referendum be held on the proposal. This form of governance is sometimes 
referred to as "citizens' initiative and referendum".

Regards
M Wallace-Macpherson
-------------------------------------------------
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R
a campaign for direct democracy in Britain
http://www.iniref.org/