Should we have citizens’ assemblies for Sidmouth/East Devon?
It’s been happening with the New South Yorkshire citizens’ assembly, the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly and the Wandsworth Citizens’ Assembly on air quality.
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A month ago, the Electoral Reform Society was suggesting citizens’ assemblies “are a way for politicians to really listen to the general public’s opinions and concerns”.
It’s an idea which seems to be gaining traction, with the case for citizens’ assemblies in the UK being made in the New European recently as a way of revitalising democracy – whilst, following Labour’s tentative proposals, Conservative Home suggested that an arch-mandarin like Gray must know that citizens’ assemblies only enhance the bureaucracy’s power.
Away from the party politicking, the debate is going wider – with the Institute for Government having a good look at citizens’ assemblies and making several recommendations to Whitehall this week.
And despite the Irish referendum fiasco putting the future of lauded citizens’ assemblies in doubt, there has been success in places as different as Bosnia [Citizens’ Assemblies in Banja Luka and Mostar spark local innovation] and Sweden [Swedish national citizens’ assembly on climate kicks off] and Germany [Citizens’ assemblies aim to make German museums more democratic]
As for local government in the UK, it’s been happening with the New South Yorkshire citizens’ assembly, the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly and the Wandsworth Citizens’ Assembly on air quality.
So, again, should we have citizens’ assemblies for Sidmouth/East Devon?
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