In the run up period to local elections on May 3rd this year we want to
bring proposals for democracy reform to electorates and politicians.

We maintain that if participation in public life is to be sustainable
rather than frustrating then there must be effective and rewarding ways
to take part. Just voting once every few years for politicians is
experienced by most people as insufficient.

Among the most effective ways to take part is for members of the
electorate to be able to put forward proposals and if need be to trigger
a referendum.

Recent decades have seen increased use of referenda and other forms of
consultation by local councils across the country. Balancing this, the
increasing number of active campaigns and proposals by voters, many with
petitions, show that people do want to get involved. Formally the Labour
governments have "allowed" only one topic for citizens' initiative, that
concerning elected mayors and form of local councils. But in referenda
and petitions many other fields of public interest and engagement have
cropped up.

We want to ask local politicians and local and metropolitan councils to
take a lead in democracy reform.

Councils, offer your electorate the chance to take part in "initiative
and referendum" procedures. Let the people formulate proposals and
collect endorsements. Only the best proposals go forward! Then let the
council debate and decide on the proposal. If the council does not
agree, referendum follows. Be democratic and agree to abide by the
people's decision ! This system provides a well-tried and meaningful way
for all -- youth and adults -- to take part.

Our group I&Rgb offers to present and discuss these proposals at your
pre-election public meetings or another venue.

Contact us for more more information mailto: info@iniref.org

Below you can find some background materials. Please pass on this appeal.

Regards,

Michael Macpherson (Dr.)

I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
http://www.iniref.org/ Index
http://www.iniref.org/steps.html Basic presentation
http://www.iniref.org/case.html The case for more democracy


SOME BACKGROUND FACTS AND ARGUMENTS

Government representatives and the Electoral Commission have expressed
serious concern about waning public interest in politics. Regarding
young people the Electoral Commission writes

- Low turnout may be a reflection of a deepening crisis of democracy.
Evidence suggests that young people in Britain have developed a more
negative attitude to the process of elections and politics over the past
decade or so. (...) Unless this generation of young people becomes more
civic-minded as they age, the nature of British democracy is likely to
become increasingly passive
- Young voters are particularly keen to note the sense of participation,
of ‘having a say’; the rest of the electorate at large is likely to cite
a sense of civic duty or responsibility to vote.
- There is some evidence to suggest that the cynicism expressed by young
people about politics is usually directed at established party politics
rather than political issues.
Source: The Electoral Commission 2002 Voter engagement and young people
ISBN: 1-904363-03-2

The Power Inquiry 2004-6 researched adult and youth attitudes to
politics and politicians. They found that people are not apathetic but
that they can see no effective way to engage in conventional politics
(see excerpts from Power report, below).

A political scientist (University of Southampton) having surveyed
measures which have been tried to improve public participation in
politics concluded that the following ways to increase and deepen
participation were "particularly exceptional"
- Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, British Columbia
- Direct Initiative and Popular Referendum.
Source: Graham Smith, 2005. Beyond the Ballot ISBN 0 9550303 0 7

Two excerpts from the Power Inquiry report

Contrary to much of the public debate around political disengagement,
the British public are not apathetic. There is now a great deal of
research evidence to show that very large numbers of citizens are
engaged in community and charity work outside of politics. There is also
clear evidence that involvement in pressure politics – such as signing
petitions, supporting consumer boycotts, joining campaign groups – has
been growing significantly for many years. In addition, research shows
that interest in ‘political issues’ is high. (The Myth of Apathy, page 16)

We should be creating a culture of political engagement in which it
becomes the norm for policy and decision-making to occur with direct
input from citizens. This means reform which provides citizens with
clear entitlements and procedures by which to exercise that input – from
conception through to implementation of any policy or decision. (from
the section “Downloading Power” in Executive Summary and
Recommendations, page 24)

Source: Power to the People. Report of the Rowntree Trusts’ Power
Commission 2006 ISBN 0 9550303 1 5

In the run up period to local elections on May 3rd this year we want to
bring proposals for democracy reform to electorates and politicians.

We maintain that if participation in public life is to be sustainable
rather than frustrating then there must be effective and rewarding ways
to take part. Just voting once every few years for politicians is
experienced by most people as insufficient.

Among the most effective ways to take part is for members of the
electorate to be able to put forward proposals and if need be to trigger
a referendum.

Recent decades have seen increased use of referenda and other forms of
consultation by local councils across the country. Balancing this, the
increasing number of active campaigns and proposals by voters, many with
petitions, show that people do want to get involved. Formally the Labour
governments have "allowed" only one topic for citizens' initiative, that
concerning elected mayors and form of local councils. But in referenda
and petitions many other fields of public interest and engagement have
cropped up.

We want to ask local politicians and local and metropolitan councils to
take a lead in democracy reform.

Councils, offer your electorate the chance to take part in "initiative
and referendum" procedures. Let the people formulate proposals and
collect endorsements. Only the best proposals go forward! Then let the
council debate and decide on the proposal. If the council does not
agree, referendum follows. Be democratic and agree to abide by the
people's decision ! This system provides a well-tried and meaningful way
for all -- youth and adults -- to take part.

Our group I&Rgb offers to present and discuss these proposals at your
pre-election public meetings or another venue.

Contact us for more more information mailto: info@iniref.org

Below you can find some background materials. Please pass on this appeal.

Regards,

Michael Macpherson (Dr.)

I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
http://www.iniref.org/ Index
http://www.iniref.org/steps.html Basic presentation
http://www.iniref.org/case.html The case for more democracy


SOME BACKGROUND FACTS AND ARGUMENTS

Government representatives and the Electoral Commission have expressed
serious concern about waning public interest in politics. Regarding
young people the Electoral Commission writes

- Low turnout may be a reflection of a deepening crisis of democracy.
Evidence suggests that young people in Britain have developed a more
negative attitude to the process of elections and politics over the past
decade or so. (...) Unless this generation of young people becomes more
civic-minded as they age, the nature of British democracy is likely to
become increasingly passive
- Young voters are particularly keen to note the sense of participation,
of ‘having a say’; the rest of the electorate at large is likely to cite
a sense of civic duty or responsibility to vote.
- There is some evidence to suggest that the cynicism expressed by young
people about politics is usually directed at established party politics
rather than political issues.
Source: The Electoral Commission 2002 Voter engagement and young people
ISBN: 1-904363-03-2

The Power Inquiry 2004-6 researched adult and youth attitudes to
politics and politicians. They found that people are not apathetic but
that they can see no effective way to engage in conventional politics
(see excerpts from Power report, below).

A political scientist (University of Southampton) having surveyed
measures which have been tried to improve public participation in
politics concluded that the following ways to increase and deepen
participation were "particularly exceptional"
- Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, British Columbia
- Direct Initiative and Popular Referendum.
Source: Graham Smith, 2005. Beyond the Ballot ISBN 0 9550303 0 7

Two excerpts from the Power Inquiry report

Contrary to much of the public debate around political disengagement,
the British public are not apathetic. There is now a great deal of
research evidence to show that very large numbers of citizens are
engaged in community and charity work outside of politics. There is also
clear evidence that involvement in pressure politics – such as signing
petitions, supporting consumer boycotts, joining campaign groups – has
been growing significantly for many years. In addition, research shows
that interest in ‘political issues’ is high. (The Myth of Apathy, page 16)

We should be creating a culture of political engagement in which it
becomes the norm for policy and decision-making to occur with direct
input from citizens. This means reform which provides citizens with
clear entitlements and procedures by which to exercise that input – from
conception through to implementation of any policy or decision. (from
the section “Downloading Power” in Executive Summary and
Recommendations, page 24)

Source: Power to the People. Report of the Rowntree Trusts’ Power
Commission 2006 ISBN 0 9550303 1 5

In the run up period to local elections on May 3rd this year we want to
bring proposals for democracy reform to electorates and politicians.

We maintain that if participation in public life is to be sustainable
rather than frustrating then there must be effective and rewarding ways
to take part. Just voting once every few years for politicians is
experienced by most people as insufficient.

Among the most effective ways to take part is for members of the
electorate to be able to put forward proposals and if need be to trigger
a referendum.

Recent decades have seen increased use of referenda and other forms of
consultation by local councils across the country. Balancing this, the
increasing number of active campaigns and proposals by voters, many with
petitions, show that people do want to get involved. Formally the Labour
governments have "allowed" only one topic for citizens' initiative, that
concerning elected mayors and form of local councils. But in referenda
and petitions many other fields of public interest and engagement have
cropped up.

We want to ask local politicians and local and metropolitan councils to
take a lead in democracy reform.

Councils, offer your electorate the chance to take part in "initiative
and referendum" procedures. Let the people formulate proposals and
collect endorsements. Only the best proposals go forward! Then let the
council debate and decide on the proposal. If the council does not
agree, referendum follows. Be democratic and agree to abide by the
people's decision ! This system provides a well-tried and meaningful way
for all -- youth and adults -- to take part.

Our group I&Rgb offers to present and discuss these proposals at your
pre-election public meetings or another venue.

Contact us for more more information mailto: info@iniref.org

Below you can find some background materials. Please pass on this appeal.

Regards,

Michael Macpherson (Dr.)

I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
http://www.iniref.org/ Index
http://www.iniref.org/steps.html Basic presentation
http://www.iniref.org/case.html The case for more democracy


SOME BACKGROUND FACTS AND ARGUMENTS

Government representatives and the Electoral Commission have expressed
serious concern about waning public interest in politics. Regarding
young people the Electoral Commission writes

- Low turnout may be a reflection of a deepening crisis of democracy.
Evidence suggests that young people in Britain have developed a more
negative attitude to the process of elections and politics over the past
decade or so. (...) Unless this generation of young people becomes more
civic-minded as they age, the nature of British democracy is likely to
become increasingly passive
- Young voters are particularly keen to note the sense of participation,
of ‘having a say’; the rest of the electorate at large is likely to cite
a sense of civic duty or responsibility to vote.
- There is some evidence to suggest that the cynicism expressed by young
people about politics is usually directed at established party politics
rather than political issues.
Source: The Electoral Commission 2002 Voter engagement and young people
ISBN: 1-904363-03-2

The Power Inquiry 2004-6 researched adult and youth attitudes to
politics and politicians. They found that people are not apathetic but
that they can see no effective way to engage in conventional politics
(see excerpts from Power report, below).

A political scientist (University of Southampton) having surveyed
measures which have been tried to improve public participation in
politics concluded that the following ways to increase and deepen
participation were "particularly exceptional"
- Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, British Columbia
- Direct Initiative and Popular Referendum.
Source: Graham Smith, 2005. Beyond the Ballot ISBN 0 9550303 0 7

Two excerpts from the Power Inquiry report

Contrary to much of the public debate around political disengagement,
the British public are not apathetic. There is now a great deal of
research evidence to show that very large numbers of citizens are
engaged in community and charity work outside of politics. There is also
clear evidence that involvement in pressure politics – such as signing
petitions, supporting consumer boycotts, joining campaign groups – has
been growing significantly for many years. In addition, research shows
that interest in ‘political issues’ is high. (The Myth of Apathy, page 16)

We should be creating a culture of political engagement in which it
becomes the norm for policy and decision-making to occur with direct
input from citizens. This means reform which provides citizens with
clear entitlements and procedures by which to exercise that input – from
conception through to implementation of any policy or decision. (from
the section “Downloading Power” in Executive Summary and
Recommendations, page 24)

Source: Power to the People. Report of the Rowntree Trusts’ Power
Commission 2006 ISBN 0 9550303 1 5