A small step WE all can take to help the UK to real democracy - WARNING ends with more duck humour

WARNING - vox pop duck video below might bring on some memories of MPs snout-troughing

Could the UK try democracy for a change?  If you look below the surface you will see we have a really unfair, old-fashioned system compared to most civilized countries - and compared even to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as nations.

For example how about allowing local people to decide on who represents them - from the local constituency - instead of some birk being parachuted in by one of the 'central offices'.

Stop the Tory-Labour-Tory-Labour stitch up. People locally should decide on who represents them a) in a party or as an independent, b) as their MP to represent them in Parliament.  It's not rocket science, but it is a whole lot more than what happens now.

I want to choose the woman or man who I think has the greatest degree of integrity, wisdom, balance, insight and general capacity.  I am happy to vote for any overall persuasion - but I want to choose not a committee hundreds of miles away. I don't want my choice restricted to two clapped-out political parties.

The Open Up campaign invite us to help;

SIGN THE PETITION NOW: http://www.openupnow.org

The Open Up campaign wants an honest, effective and modern democracy. We want a government of the best possible people, who truly represent us.

That's why we want the people, not the politicians, to select who stands for election.

That's why we want Open Primaries in every constituency, where the people select their own candidates, and where anyone can put themselves forward to be a candidate.

That's why we want all current MPs to agree to stand for re-selection in an Open Primary.

We want this before the next General Election. And this is what Open Up is calling on every political party to do.

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If you have a Labour MP check his/her stance on Fair Voting - see Guy Aitchinson's report

Was there ever a political gathering that combined the degree of cynicism and spinelessness on display at the meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party last night?

Let's take a look:

The chances of a referendum on electoral reform being held after the next general election, regardless of which party wins, were in the balance last night as Labour MPs appeared split down the middle.

Electoral reformers in the cabinet are seeking to amend the constitutional reform bill passing through the Commons to include a clause to bind the next government to a referendum on whether to adopt the alternative vote (AV) system.

Some see that as the party's last chance to commit any future government to such a move, even if, in the event of a Tory victory, the next administration is opposed to electoral reform...

One MP in favour of amending legislation was upbeat, suggesting his side had narrowly won because they had managed to persuade some Labour MPs to back the alternative vote option as better than full-blown reform. Labour MPs in favour were said to include Hugh Bailey, Tom Levitt and Richard Burden.

via opendemocracy.net

Click on link to read full article

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25 common-sense steps to give the UK a modern, responsive, political system - a manifesto, action plan & resources to work with - "Yes we can!"

One hub, 24 spokes -

25 common-sense steps to give the UK a modern, responsive, political system

Fair Voting (proportional representation) is the most important single aspect – it is the hub of the wheel of reform, the other 24 are spokes.

1 Establish 'fair voting' – at all levels - make everyone's vote count, not just a fifth of the voters - government based on such a minority is an obscenity. This is the hub of the 're-form wheel'. If real democracy doesn't work we can always go back to what we've got now – the exploitation of the many by the few.

2 Centre on issues-based politics rather than out-dated ideologies – enable continuous cross-party coalitions in national interest.

3 Massively reduce 'tribal politics'- demand cross-party issues-based co-operation. 'Tribal politics' - Labour followed by Tories followed by Labour etc. - is a great curse not least because it perpetuates the class-system, (and the need to hate fellow citizens?).

4 Enable more 'Independents' - we need more voices like Martin Bell.

5 Accelerate fair representation - nothing less than 50% women is acceptable. Ensure other forms of fair representation.

6 Demand 'facts before opinions' - getting objective facts to the electorate, as well as to MPs, is vital to help us see through the endless smoke-screens of vested interest. Balance values and beliefs with science & research – at all levels.

*7 Co-operate more - from grass-roots to party leaders.

8 Make MPs rewards fair, open & clear - separate running costs from salary! Build or acquire London flats & stop profiteering.

9 Make bottom-up politics as strong as top-down politics – and connect local, regional and national election processes - involvement starts at street level, people need to feel that their efforts, as well as their votes, count.

10 Focus on fairness, social justice and quality of life for all stake-holders – the middle-class as well as the poor have been progressively disadvantaged in favour of the mega-rich over the last few decades. Reverse the exploitation by the rich top 10%.

11 Massively reduce central government - devise broad-policy and demand that County Councils and other agencies find the means from inter-national best-practice to achieve set standards.

12 Maximise free voting & secret ballots - at all levels in the political system not just Parliament.

13 Habitually import best practice from across the world – start with New Zealand and Australia, Germany.

14 Create a simple written constitution – do it within 1 year and the spend 5 years refining it – make it genuinely consultative with all stake-holders.

15 Act more and talk less - encourage new and green jobs at every level. Eliminate waste - Stop faffing about! Stop re-inventing the wheel – some needs are permanent – e.g. the Youth Service, the elderly, apprenticeships. Continuous re-structuring is massively destruction c.f clear, ongoing, broad policy + devolution + 'best from abroad' + straight-forward standards and accountability.

16 Continue beefing up transparency in accountability – at all levels - I want to know what they are up to and why – I want dialogue.

17 Sack or punish seriously ‘deviant’ MPs – but certainly not for matters of conscience.

18 Make voting compulsory - it's a duty as well as a privilege & it was won by pain & sacrifice. It'll help stop the whingers.

19 Bring in fixed-term elections & reform political funding - stop all funding of parties - except a small amount for each vote cast in previous election, from general taxation.

20 Re-balance power relationships – strengthen Parliament & improve the independence and the accountability and efficiency of the civil service - make their accountability to select committees & to the public.

21 Support MPs appropriately - not just a matter of salaries, not just a matter of party politics, but accountability & effective communication will help reverse public's negativity. So will personal & party integrity. Celebrate all the good work MPs/Lords do.

22 Institute Primaries in all elections – stop central offices from parachuting in & imposing their favourites.

23 Reform the House of Lords - but not as a mirror-image of whipped party-based, professional-politician-based Commons. Democratically create a collegiate system representative of all main aspects of UK society.

24 Encourage positive interest in, & involvement in, political process – integrate democratic process in education, encourage all media to do a better job (e.g annual prizes) and demand educating in depth instead of empty 'Daily Mail' posturing & negativity. Shake up the BBC. Limit the likes of Rupert Murdoch. Set higher standards for all media. Use new media positively.

25 Demand that politicians have the courage to take long-term views – short-termism is at the root of many problems. Admit mistakes quickly e.g. we need to re-develop part of our manufacturing base & food-production – the world has changed.

Ver 2 - 20^th Jan 2010

Which organizations can help us work toward the re-formation of our corrupt political system?

Through the organizations listed here you and I, can take step-by-step action to start the process of positive change.  They are helping us all to act - "Yes we can!

Here are some of the main ones;

ACTIVIST GROUPS -

DEMAND FAIR VOTING' - the No. 1 Need - the key reform 'Fair Voting' (Proportional Representation)
MakeMyVoteCount - working to get fair voting in the UK and England the No. 1 need - http://www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/news.html
Electoral Reform Society - http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/     -     SEE ALSO http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_reform

Activist Groups - served by www.mySociety.org
http://www.mysociety.org/projects/

MySociety - charity that provides the sites for some of the orgs listed here below - http://www.mysociety.org/

WriteToThem
PledgeBank 
No 10 Downing Street Petitions Website
FixMyStreet
WhatDoTheyKnow
FreeOurBills
TheyWorkForYou
Hear From Your MP

Beta
GroupsNearYou - http://www.groupsnearyou.com/

Power2010 - http://www.power2010.org.uk

DemocracyClub - http://www.democracyclub.org.uk/

ModernLiberty - http://www.modernliberty.net/what/who/videos#

OpenUpNow - http://www.openupnow.org/about-us#

ResPublica - http://www.respublica.org.uk/articles/spend-investment

38degrees - http://www.38degrees.org.uk/#

Unlock Democracy - http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FROM WHOM YOU CAN GET IMPORTANT NEWS
PoliticsHome - http://www.politicshome.com/
Epolitix  - http://www.epolitix.com/
Politics.co.uk - http://www.politics.co.uk/
Hansard Society - http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/
UK Parliament - http://www.parliament.uk/

HOLDING MPs TO ACCOUNT
WriteToThem
Hear from your MP - http://www.hearfromyourmp.com/
TheyWorkForYou - http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

Our Kingdom (open democracy) - http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom
Magna Carta 2.0 - http://www.modernliberty.net/2009/time-for-magna-carta-20

DISCUSSION FORUM/s
BritishDemocracyForum - http://www.democracyforum.co.uk/forum.php

MARGINALS LISTS ETC
JustSolutions - http://www.justsolutions.eu/marginals/startmarginals.html - brilliant piece of work to help us know which seats are marginal and by how many votes
 
UNDER-REPRESENTED POLITICAL PARTIES CHEATED BY THE CURRENT SYSTEM
Green Party - what they stand for - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_the_Green_Party     (Good starting point for generating some new thinking)
Liberal Democrats - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democrats

DEMAND FAIR VOTING' - the No. 1 Need - the key reform 'Fair Voting' (Proportional Representation)
MakeMyVoteCount - working to get fair voting in the UK and England the No. 1 need - http://www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/news.html
Electoral Reform Society - http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/     -     SEE ALSO http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_reform

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UK politics doesn't have to be the way that it is - be part of the change - suggestions from Power2010

Power 2010 have arranged contributors ideas into 7 categories.  They Say;

Here you can browse and comment on some of the fantastic ideas for reforming UK democracy submitted to POWER2010 during the ideas phase of our campaign (which has now come to a close).

Between mid-September and November 30th 2009 over 4,000 ideas were submitted by people of all political persuasions from across the UK, demonstrating that there's no shortage of bold thinking and imagination out there when it comes to how to reinvigorate our tired democracy.

All of the ideas sent in will play their part in the campaign (you can find out how here). The most popular will become the POWER2010 Pledge which all candidates at the next election will be asked to sign up to.

The ideas are displayed here under the main categories for reform - take a look and join the debate.

• Devolution and local government
• Elections and voting
• Europe
• Parliament
• Political parties
• Rights and freedoms
• Other

 

Explore the Power2010 site (hope it gets re-designed soon) http://www.power2010.org.uk/pages/ideas

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Don't duck the issue - Open-Up UK politics now - WARNING - contains duck humour

“We have an opportunity to close the gap between government and governed, politicians and people.”
- Martin Bell

OpenUp say;

It's time to Open Up politics. Respect for the UK's political system continues to plummet at a time when we need great government and a strong democracy more than ever.

But together we can do something about it. This is what Open Up is about. We want an honest, effective and modern democracy.

We want a government of the best possible people, who truly represent us. It's not just about expenses. It's about reforming our political system.

The way Parliament is run and government does business must change - and getting the best possible people into office is the starting point. That's why we want the people, not the politicians, to select who stands for election.

That's why we want Open Primaries in every constituency, where the people select their own candidates, and where anyone can put themselves forward to be a candidate.

We want this before the next General Election. And this is what Open Up is calling on every political party to do.

SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.openupnow.org

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Humour: compare PETER SELLERS - 'Party Political Speech' with Open Up: Are you a duck?

....

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Why are we allowing children to be harmed in detention cntres? - Clare Sambrook asks

Clare Sambrook on what Parliament isn’t being told about children’s lives inside a UK detention centre

Back in October, a study by NHS paediatricians and psychologists, Lorek et al, found that babies and children were being harmed at Yarl’s Wood detention centre.

The doctors recorded children’s 'increased fear due to being suddenly placed in a facility resembling a prison', their weight loss and tummy pains, how older children were so stressed they wet their beds and soiled their pants.

The study related the photographing and the fingerprinting, the roll calls and the body searches, the ID cards that children must carry at all times, the ten locked doors between freedom and the family centre, the steep deterioration in parents' mental health and parenting abilities, the self-harm and the suicide attempts.

And the sex games. One father, ‘spontaneously complained that he had found his daughter in the center without any clothes on. His child explained that she had been encouraged to undress and play “sex games” instigated by another detained child.’

Another mother, ‘spontaneously commented on the sexualized behavior of children within the center’.

The doctors wrote, ‘the experience of detention, even for a relatively brief period of time, has a detrimental effect on the mental and physical health of children.’

via opendemocracy.net

Click on link to read Clare's article at OurKingdom/OpenDemocracy

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Culture Killing - Does the UK government only employ morons - or is it the government ministers? - See Manick Govinda's article.

“After my treatment resulting in my deportment from the UK I have little desire to ever return.”  MP Landis, artist.

Brooklyn based painter MP Landis was supposed to be in Dufftown Scotland over the summer of 2009 on an artist’s residency at the prestigious Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland.  Landis, his wife and 5 month daughter were to be living on the distillery grounds with 7 other international artists.  But the new points based system prevented Landis and his family from taking up this unique opportunity. 

The stringent rules required Landis and his family to show they had at least $1,400 of savings, and each artist’s sponsor – in this case, Glenfiddich – were obliged to provide additional financial support and constantly monitor the artists to ensure they don’t abscond during their stay.  Lacking the necessary certificate of sponsorship, Landis and his family were detained and deported from London’s Heathrow Airport on a US bound plane shortly after they arrived.

“I was on an artist’s visa which no longer exists. When it came time to renew my visa I was deferred to a TIER ONE GENERAL highly skilled worker’s visa – which is points based. My application was refused due to ‘a lack of education’ and I entered a lengthy appeal process which took over six months, in which I was kept on tenterhooks about whether I could stay or whether I could go. When the appeal was refused I was forced to return to South Africa. I have subsequently reapplied for two other visas, one a short term holiday visa to attend my book launch, another an unmarried partnership visa to rejoin my girlfriend of seven years who still resides in the UK. Both were also refused.”  Nikhil Singh, artist-illustrator of gothic-fantasy novel Salem Brownstone: All Along the Watchtowers. 

The above examples are just a couple of the hundreds of testimonials collected by the Manifesto Club over the last eleven months of its campaign and petition against the Home Office’s ludicrous and harsh clampdown of invited non-EU artists and academics to the UK.  The bureaucracy is stifling the UK’s vibrant cultural scene,

via opendemocracy.net

Click on link to read Govinda's article at OpenDemocracy

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"You do not increase security by taking away liberty." - a passionate statement by Peter Oborne

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Do you want the House of Lords to mirror the Commons? - no way Jose! - no way Power2010

The Power2010 campaign invites us to consider ''improvement' to the UK Parliamentary system, via election of the House of Lords. 

They say;

.

The Prime Minister can use the award of a peerage and elevation to the House of Lords to secure favours and support for the government from members of his or her party. 

This reform would prevent this practice and the suspicion of corruption it brings with it by preventing former MPs from being elevated to the Lords.

Why you should vote for this reform: 

• The House of Lords should not be a reward for those who supported the previous government.

• If an MP loses an election and their seat in Parliament, they should not be able to re-enter Parliament undemocratically.

• It would reduce the patronage power of the Prime Minister and therefore the government's dominance of Parliament.

Agreed - but I want to be ruled by the best - including people I don't agree with.  I want the UK senate to consist of women and men who have served their country well in some representative field, not excluding politics, and who are mature, wise, balanced and most of all are free of party political contaminations.

There is no way I want our 'Senate' populated by people who are whipped from within a party, who are simply a mirror image of the Commons - horror of horrors.

The House of Lords should reflect a broad and representative cross-section, and be as free as possible of the weaknesses attendant upon the Commons and its occupants .

Election would be good only if it could be free of party politics - via some form of primary.

If not a collegiate system would be better - why can't that be arrived at democratically?

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To go to the Power2010 site click HERE

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One million votes and rising - let's hope this story is repeated many times over in 2010

Alex, one of our Young Green Co-Chairs on Thursday unseated the Conservative incumbent with a majority of 300, which now deprives the Tories of their majority on the council and brings the Green group tying for official opposition with Labour.

This victory opens the way for Green Party Leader, Caroline Lucas to win the Westminster seat, Brighton Pavilion at the general election widely expected next spring.

Caroline said, "This is a spectacular win. It signals an unstoppable surge to elect the first Green MP at Westminster, whenever Gordon decides to go to the country. With this result, we're on the threshold of taking Green politics to the heart of Westminster."

GRN 1,456 - 38.5% (+17.6%) GRN GAIN FROM CON
CON 1,104 - 29.2% (-0.9%)
LAB 816 - 21.5% (-6.8%)
LD 280 - 7.4% (-7.32%)
UKIP 129 - 3.4% N/A (others 6% last time)

http://younggreens.greenparty.org.uk/node/178

Click HERE to go to the Green Party website

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So what are the Green Party's core values?

Our core values

The Green Party's philosophical basis is stated in our constitution:

Life on Earth is under immense pressure. It is human activity, more than anything else, which is threatening the well-being of the environment on which we depend. Conventional politics has failed us because its values are fundamentally flawed.

The Green Party isn't just another political party. Green politics is a new and radical kind of politics guided by these core principles;

1. Humankind depends on the diversity of the natural world for its existence. We do not believe that other species are expendable.
2. The Earth's physical resources are finite. We threaten our future if we try to live beyond those means, so we must build a sustainable society that guarantees our long-term future.
3. Every person, in this and future generations, should be entitled to basic material security as of right.
4. Our actions should take account of the well-being of other nations, other species, and future generations. We should not pursue our well-being to the detriment of theirs.
5. A healthy society is based on voluntary co-operation between empowered individuals in a democratic society, free from discrimination whether based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social origin or any other prejudice.
6. We emphasise democratic participation and accountability by ensuring that decisions are taken at the closest practical level to those affected by them.
7. We look for non-violent solutions to conflict situations, which take into account the interests of minorities and future generations in order to achieve lasting settlements.
8. The success of a society cannot be measured by narrow economic indicators, but should take account of factors affecting the quality of life for all people: personal freedom, social equity, health, happiness and human fulfilment.
9. Electoral politics is not the only way to achieve change in society, and we will use a variety of methods to help effect change, providing those methods do not conflict with our other core principles.
10. The Green Party puts changes in both values and lifestyles at the heart of the radical green agenda.

 

Our origins: Green Party history

The Green Party of England and Wales is one of the oldest Green political parties in the world and has been campaigning for social and environmental justice for more than 30 years. We were founded in 1973 as 'People', became the 'Ecology Party' shortly afterwards and finally changed our name to the Green Party in 1985.

More about our history on Wikipedia

via greenparty.org.uk

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Meet Caroline Lucas the Green Party leader

via youtube.com

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The UN should relocate to Haiti | Daniel-Joseph MacArthur-Seal- openDemocracy

The long neglected nation of Haiti is finally the focus of the world’s attention, even if a 7.0 magnitude earthquake is in tight competition with ten centimetres of snowfall for UK headlines. I’ve just heard a prominent Republican advocating turning Haiti into a UN protectorate on a BBC World Service Newshour special on the country’s humanitarian needs. The idea of establishing Haiti as a UN protectorate has been circulating for some time, but the notion of revoking the independence of the first truly postcolonial country, which was won only at the cost of 35,000 lives, is tainted.

The fear is that otherwise crisis led pledges will last only as long as the attention of the news media. But for all the gestures of support donned by the international community, one genuine remedy is yet to be prescribed; the relocation of United Nations’ headquarters from uptown New York to the ruins of Port-au-Prince. Such a move would, without impinging Haitian sovereignty jealously guarded since independence, signal the necessary commitment and investment to rebuilding that which was destroyed and much more, while bringing beneficial byproducts to the wider global community.

The two cities are clearly worlds apart, regardless of suburban American intellectual’s virulent paranoia of the third world creeping into America’s urban centres. UNHQ would bring massive economic stimulus to one of the world’s most deprived cities. It has in total 15,000 employees, while 2,230 diplomats are on permanent assignment in New York. In 2007, renovation plans were announced for the New York compound at a cost of $1billion. By comparison, the UK has so far pledged just £6million to help rebuild Haiti.  In a country with a GDP, before the earthquake struck, of $6.9billion, the influx of such sums would be of huge consequence.

via opendemocracy.net

Dear Daniel-Joseph MacArthur-Seal,

I think you'll find that even by this early stage the UK's contribution is many times the £6m pump-primer.

Good point though about the running costs of the UN

Yours

Roger-Edward Prentice-Prentice

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If you could only change 5 things about the UK political system whatwould they be? - Unlock Democracy

Article posted by Unlock Democracy

As you may already be aware, POWER2010 is an exciting initiative set up by the Joseph Rowntree Trusts to push democratic reform up the political agenda in the run up to the general election. Last weekend, POWER2010 held a meeting with people from across the UK to sift through the 4,500 proposals they have received and come up with a long list of proposals to put to a public online vote.

The final list of 29 proposals has now been published. You can vote for as many of them as you would like (but bear in mind this is to establish a shortlist of five core proposals).

Unlock Democracy supports most of the proposals to make it onto the long list. In particular, we would urge our supporters to vote for the following:

• Introduce a proportional voting system
• A written constitution
• A fully elected second chamber
• Cap political donations
• Stronger local government

To vote, simply click on the links above.  You can vote for as many options as you would like.

Unlock Democracy also agrees with the following other proposals:

• Strengthening select committees: select committees perform a very important scrutiny role in Parliament and we support proposals to strengthen these.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Public consultation through a deliberative process: we support this in principle but the proposal is too vaguely worded.  The government already has a statutory obligation to consult, but how do you define ‘controversial’ and how binding is this consultation to be?
• Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state: we agree with this; the best way to limit state control is via a written constitution.
• Bill of Rights: we support this in principle but this is vaguely worded – all of the main parties support a Bill or Rights in some form.  We would push for a Bill of Rights that builds on the Human Rights Act as part of a written constitution.
• Reducing the use of statutory instruments: the use of statutory instruments to push legislation through Parliament without debate or scrutiny is damaging our democracy and have campaigned against this.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Right to recall: Unlock Democracy supports ‘recall’; but we think proportional representation would have a more profound effect in making MPs more accountable.
• Expanding the Freedom of Information Act: Charter 88 played a crucial role in establishing the Freedom of Information Act and we would welcome any plans to strengthen it.  In particular we are concerned that the current exemption on releasing information regarding policy making decisions is far too wide.  A general right to know should form part of a written constitution.
• Consult on MPs’ pay, expenses and conditions: we support giving the public a greater say in agreeing these but recognise that considerable action in this area has already been taken.
• Give MPs control of the parliamentary timetable: we support strengthening parliament’s powers, including giving backbench MPs more control of the parliamentary timetable.  However, without proportional representation, Parliament will continue  to be dominated by government whips.
• Require political parties to be internally democratic: Unlock Democracy has pioneered advocating ways to make political parties more internally democratic.  Ultimately it is in their own interests to do so.
• Compulsory politics lessons in schools: schools already have compulsory citizenship classes, which must cover politics; the issue is ensuring these are about active participation in society rather than being “good” citizens.
• Banning Lords from becoming government ministers: we support this, but having an elected second chamber is a bigger priority.
• Transparent lobbying: we support this and are members of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency.
• Fixed term parliaments: we think it is unacceptable that the government can use the timing of the election for political advantage.  However, proportional representation is for us a bigger priority.
• No former MPs to the House of Lords: we believe the House of Lords should be elected – no one should be appointed to it full stop.
• Votes at 16: this would be a positive step forward but changing the voting system itself is a bigger priority.

We are formally neutral on the following

• ‘None of the above’ on ballot papers
• More free votes in the Commons: this proposal is too vague as it stands; it could reduce accountability if too many issues were free votes.
• Hold a referendum on the euro: Unlock Democracy has no position on whether the UK should join the euro. If the UK government did decide this was in the UK’s interests however, we do believe the decision should be ratified by a referendum.
• Directly elected mayors: it should be up to local people to decide whether they want a directly elected mayor or not. People in England and Wales already have the right to petition for a directly elected mayor.

We oppose the following

• Hold elections on a weekend: an expensive gimmick.  Having to store ballot papers overnight would have significant security issues.  There is nothing to suggest it will improve turnout.
• English votes on English laws: solving the “West Lothian Question” is important but would not address the fundamental problem that England is far too centralised.  There would also be profound constitutional problems if one party had a majority in England while another had a majority in the UK overall.  Decentralisation within England and proportional representation combined would mitigate this problem far more effectively.
• Ban ex-MPs from jobs related to their parliamentary work: we strongly support restricting former MPs and ministers from being able to take advantage of their contacts and inside knowledge to get paid employment for a period of time.  This proposal however is for a blanket ban on any employment related to an MP’s work which would be unreasonable.
• A second chamber of different sectors: we are doubtful that Mussolini-style corporatism would help increase democracy in the UK.  Who would decide which sectors got how many seats?  Direct election would be far more effective.

If you would like to support one of the other proposals, the full list can be found on the POWER2010 website.

via unlockdemocracy.org.uk

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Helena Kennedy QC warns us about what’s going on - and she knows! - The Convention on Modern Liberty

via modernliberty.net

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Is Labour, like the Tories, turning against Fair Voting? - read Patrick Wintour in the Guardian

Campaigners for voting system reform say the electorate is keen to see a wider spread of parties at Westminster. Photograph: Matthew Fearn

Gordon Brown is fending off a cabinet-level revolt over his plans to reduce the power of the executive in parliament and to introduce laws entrenching a referendum on voting reform.

The government whips' office is trying to block reforms that would see it lose its domination of parliament's agenda. The Vote for a Change pressure group is also accusing Ed Balls, the schools secretary, of being behind moves to block a clause in the constitutional reform bill that would commit the government to a referendum on electoral reform after the election.

Both reforms to the voting system and parliament have been stalled for weeks. Brown promised a radical manifesto, including constitutional reform, this week. Labour MPs may discuss the issue of a referendum on voting systems on Monday at their weekly private meeting, with some MPs determined to block the move.

Vote for a Change is planning to put up a billboard in Balls's Normanton constituency accusing him of opposing political renewal. It says he is trying to garner votes among northern MPs in safe seats to improve his post-election leadership ambitions. In an email to its 40,000 members, the group accuses Balls of hypocrisy.

via guardian.co.uk

Click on link to read Patrick Wintour's article in the Guardian

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

TimeGlider: Web-based timeline software

About Us

Our Story

A few years ago, Michael was doing some research on the New York Times website. He realized that a vast amount of information was there, but that it required a keyword or a specific date: What if one didn't have either? What if one just wanted a way to see history. Finding no solution, he began to build one himself.

Around the same time, thousands of miles away in London, Will was watching his favorite football team lose another match by following live updates on BBC.com. Surely, he thought, there has to be a better way to experience the game online than watching a single, text-only web page get longer and longer.

Two years and two relocations later, Will and Michael found themselves playing tennis in Boise, Idaho, talking about technology and the things they thought could be better on the Internet.

via timeglider.com

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

A blog worth a visit - 'a photo from each day i am 29 years old | by nicole kenney'

via diary29.com

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

Iran 2010-11: four scenarios and a nightmare | openDemocracy

Iran 2010-11: four scenarios and a nightmare

Volker Perthes, 15 January 2010

via opendemocracy.net

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

Power2010 invite us to choose the changes we think most important

POWER2010 - say;

we would urge our supporters to vote for the following:

• Introduce a proportional voting system
• A written constitution
• A fully elected second chamber
• Cap political donations
• Stronger local government

To vote, simply click on the links above.  You can vote for as many options as you would like.

Unlock Democracy also agrees with the following other proposals:

• Strengthening select committees: select committees perform a very important scrutiny role in Parliament and we support proposals to strengthen these.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Public consultation through a deliberative process: we support this in principle but the proposal is too vaguely worded.  The government already has a statutory obligation to consult, but how do you define ‘controversial’ and how binding is this consultation to be?
• Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state: we agree with this; the best way to limit state control is via a written constitution.
• Bill of Rights: we support this in principle but this is vaguely worded – all of the main parties support a Bill or Rights in some form.  We would push for a Bill of Rights that builds on the Human Rights Act as part of a written constitution.
• Reducing the use of statutory instruments: the use of statutory instruments to push legislation through Parliament without debate or scrutiny is damaging our democracy and have campaigned against this.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Right to recall: Unlock Democracy supports ‘recall’; but we think proportional representation would have a more profound effect in making MPs more accountable.
• Expanding the Freedom of Information Act: Charter 88 played a crucial role in establishing the Freedom of Information Act and we would welcome any plans to strengthen it.  In particular we are concerned that the current exemption on releasing information regarding policy making decisions is far too wide.  A general right to know should form part of a written constitution.
• Consult on MPs’ pay, expenses and conditions: we support giving the public a greater say in agreeing these but recognise that considerable action in this area has already been taken.
• Give MPs control of the parliamentary timetable: we support strengthening parliament’s powers, including giving backbench MPs more control of the parliamentary timetable.  However, without proportional representation, Parliament will continue  to be dominated by government whips.
• Require political parties to be internally democratic: Unlock Democracy has pioneered advocating ways to make political parties more internally democratic.  Ultimately it is in their own interests to do so.
• Compulsory politics lessons in schools: schools already have compulsory citizenship classes, which must cover politics; the issue is ensuring these are about active participation in society rather than being “good” citizens.
• Banning Lords from becoming government ministers: we support this, but having an elected second chamber is a bigger priority.
• Transparent lobbying: we support this and are members of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency.
• Fixed term parliaments: we think it is unacceptable that the government can use the timing of the election for political advantage.  However, proportional representation is for us a bigger priority.
• No former MPs to the House of Lords: we believe the House of Lords should be elected – no one should be appointed to it full stop.
• Votes at 16: this would be a positive step forward but changing the voting system itself is a bigger priority.rs: we are doubtful that Mussolini-style corporatism would help increase democracy in the UK.  Who would decide which sectors got how many seats?  Direct election would be far more effective.

If you would like to support one of the other proposals, the full list can be found on the POWER2010 website.

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Posted via email from sunwalking's posterous

UKIP - troubles in the camp - BBC News

via news.bbc.co.uk

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

Click here to find out what your MP has been up to

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/index.cfm

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Those wonderful creative people at mySociety.org have made us a simple way for you to get news from your MP. 

It's called 'Hear From Your MP' ! - another simple way we can all help build a modern, responsive, responsible, fully democratic political system for the UK - "Yes we can!"

To check it out click HERE

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Posted via email from sunwalking's posterous

The brilliant mySociety.org will empower your ability to help make a better society - from shaping the next Parliament to fixing pot-holes in your street.

NB watch the video when you have time - ignore boring intro - you really get a sense of how internet is empowering disempowered citizens.  One of the most exciting developments I've ever seen - given the sense of helplessness that so many have about politics.  Pow!

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mySociety.org – What’s it all about then, eh?

Contact Us

Email: team@mysociety.org; commercial director Karl Grundy; director Tom Steinberg.
Phone: Call Tom on 07811 082158.
Mailing list / Chat room

Full contact details

mySociety is many things!

• mySociety is a non-profit based on a charity.
• mySociety is a community of volunteers and (paid) open source coders.
• mySociety runs most of the best-known democracy and transparency websites in the UK, sites like TheyWorkForYou and WriteToThem (which way back in the dawn of time was called FaxYourMP).
• mySociety is a not-for-profit company that builds websites of a democratic bent for other people, such as the No 10 Downing Street Petitions Website, for the Prime Minister’s Office.

What are mySociety’s goals?

mySociety has two missions. The first is to be a charitable project which builds websites that give people simple, tangible benefits in the civic and community aspects of their lives. The second is to teach the public and voluntary sectors, through demonstration, how to use the internet most efficiently to improve lives.

How do I get in contact with you in person?

All the info is right here.

What are you doing at the moment?

The best way to get a feel for this is to keep an eye on our news blog. In general, though, we do two sorts of things:

• Upgrade our pre-existing sites and make them ever better and more useful.
• Contract for media companies, bits of government and NGOs, building democratic and citizen-focussed sites.

Can you give us any examples of the types of project you’re on about?

TheyWorkForYou, WriteToThem (which used to be called FaxYourMP) and FixMyStreet are all examples of the type of service that we aim to foster. But it is exactly the rarity of such really useful, effective, cheap civic sites that led to mySociety’s creation.

What have you been doing for the last few years?

mySociety was founded in September 2003. We spent the first year raising money and soliciting the public and each other for ideas. Our first funding arrived in September 2004, at which point we started working furiously, launching WriteToThem, PledgeBank and HearFromYourMP all before the end of 2005. In 2006 we built and launched the No 10 Downing Street Petitions Website and FixMyStreet. In 2008, we’ve launched WhatDoTheyKnow and started the FreeOurBills campaign.

Who are you lot?

Tom Steinberg is mySociety’s founder and director. He’s joined by three full-time developers, Angie Ahl, Francis Irving and Matthew Somerville, plus Keith our sysadmin and Karl our commercial director. On top of this we are lucky to have a whole bunch of super fine volunteers, who do everything from contribute tiny amounts of time and a few clicks to build and run entire sites as part of the mySociety community, like the incomparable Richard Pope and his PlanningAlerts website (which has a volunteer community of its own). Read about how you can be involved here.

Are you a registered charity?

mySociety is the project of a registered charity (donate!). The charity is called UK Citizens Online Democracy and is charity number 1076346. You can read more about how UKCOD is governed, and its finances, on UKCOD’s website. UKCOD runs mySociety as a project, and also wholly owns a company called mySociety Ltd. If you do commercial work with mySociety, it is the Ltd company you’ll be dealing with. Any profits it makes goes into running the charity’s projects, like TheyWorkForYou.

Where did the idea for mySociety come from?

mySociety represents the crystallisation of a lot of widely shared thoughts and concerns about the problems facing democracy, government and technology in the UK at the moment. James Crabtree first gave the idea formal shape in an OpenDemocracy article, suggesting that the UK government should set up a civic hacking fund to do things like mySociety does now. Then Tom took the idea, gave it a polish, and set up mySociety outside of government (with a little help from about 50 people). Many of the core people in mySociety were hacking on projects that fitted into the vision (some long before there was a mySociety) and so we’re really a rich mix of influences.

Click HERE to go to mySociety

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Posted via email from sunwalking's posterous

Are you 'middle-class or 'poor' - either way you were robbed - see article by Philip Blond

Philip Blond -  http://www.respublica.org.uk/articles/spend-investment  - has a very interesting article on how we have all been robbed;

*In 1976, excluding property, the bottom half of the UK population owned 12% ofthe marketable
wealth; by 2003 that had fallen to just 1%. In the same period, the share enjoyed by the top 10%
rose from 57% to 71%. Even when property is included, the bottom half of the population still
only owns just 7% of the country’s wealth.*

Over the last 30 years the Anglo-Saxon world has adopted the most disingenuous of economic systems. Under the guise of capitalism for all, we have produced monopoly benefits for the few and wage serfdom for the many.

Via an undue focus on nominal speculation rather than real investment, an extraordinary amount of wealth has been generated by capital and exchange rate arbitrage, but rather than trickling downwards to nourish the real economy this wealth has leveraged upwards further enriching the already wealthy and pricing out of the investment market all those who cannot amass such advantage.

As such we have produced a rentier economy of capital which licences out debt and borrowing to supplement those whose base wages can no longer sustain a decent standard of living.

Hence the growing indebtedness and increasing insecurity, not just of the poor but the middle and professional classes. As such increasing numbers of people are denied the ability to truly own, trade and prosper.

*In 1976, excluding property, the bottom half of the UK population owned 12% ofthe marketable wealth; by 2003 that had fallen to just 1%. In the same period, the share enjoyed by the top 10% rose from 57% to 71%. Even when property is included, the bottom half of the population still only owns just 7% of the country’s wealth.*

A really free market requires that people have something to own and trade. In the rentier economy of monopoly capitalism, the price of debt and the price of access to capital keeps rising and the barrier to real market entry for those without wealth and capital climb ever higher.

David Cameron recognised all of this and spoke at Davos earlier this year of the need to recapitalise the poor and create a capitalism that works for all. The key political aim of this truly transformative conservatism must be the generation of an asset effect for the de-capitalised bottom half of society.

Time for us al to wake up and take action.

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Posted via email from sunwalking's posterous

Hilarious interview with duck - a call for Primaries in the UK - action you can take - yes we can!

Posted via email from sunwalking's posterous

We need Open Primaries in the UK - Open Up Now - Get Involved

via openupnow.org

Click on link to go to the OpenUp site

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

Canadian family's dog saves 11-year-old boy from cougar - Telegraph

Angel, pictured after the attack, is expected to make a full recovery. Photo: RCMP

The cougar after it was shot dead by an RCMP constable. Photo: RCMP

11-year-old Austin Forman speaks about the attack. Photo: CTV.ca

Austin Forman was in his family's garden in Boston Bar with Angela, the family's 18-month-old pet dog, when he was charged by the wild cat.

Angel positioned herself between her young master and the cougar, sustaining puncture wounds.

via telegraph.co.uk

Posted via web from sunwalking's posterous

Would democracy in the UK be a good thing? we could always go back to the current system if democracy didn't work!

Image source

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Peter Facey Director, Unlock Democracy says;

2009 was a dreadful year for the reputation of the UK Parliament but the truth is that the backlash was the culmination of a number of outrages in recent years, not just a handful of stories about trouser presses and duck houses back in May. Indeed, the 2005-2010 Parliament has been mired in scandal, kicking off with the loans for peerages debacle. One is tempted to say we can’t go on like this but the simple fact is that certain parts of the political establishment are determined to do all that they can to ensure that we do.

As we enter another election period, it is important to remember that the loans for peerages scandal in 2006 was kicked off by the main parties’ need for ready cash to fight their general election campaigns. While the upcoming general election is a much needed opportunity for Parliament to renew itself it is also another opportunity for parties to get themselves into even more trouble.

In the next election, politicians will be falling over themselves to tell voters they have a choice, while quietly conspiring to narrow that choice as much as possible. The “big two” party leaders are working to ensure that fundamental reforms such as proportional representation and caps on millionaire donors to political parties are off the agenda for the general election. We have to make sure they do not get away with this.

Last summer it briefly looked as if the main parties had finally realised that simply mouthing the rhetoric of reform was not enough and it is of course disappointing that they have reverted to their old ways so quickly. But there are some signs of hope. While the MPs’ expenses scandal has been a bloody mess, it does look as if the sort of abuses we have seen are highly unlikely to be repeated – a definite (if indirect) victory for freedom of information.

The Wright Commission report published at the end of 2009 will be an important litmus test in 2010: either MPs will sign up to its proposals to make government more accountable and give the public a greater say in Parliament, or they will allow the party whips to quietly water them down. Have you asked your MP how they intend to respond yet?

We are continuing to push for a Citizens’ Convention to draw up an action plan to make UK politics more ethical and accountable and are enthused that, thanks to your efforts, more than 25% of MPs from across the political spectrum have called for it to be enshrined in law. This suggests that the thirst for real reform even among MPs is much greater than Gordon Brown and David Cameron would like you to believe.

We will also have one other chance to make a positive reform before the general election. The Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill, which will put the Sustainable Communities Act on a more permanent footing, has been sponsored by Alastair Burt MP and is due to be debated on 26 February 2009. We need you to write to your MP to insist that they attend the debate.

Leaving aside the parties’ election manifestos themselves, there is much to be done during the general election itself. An unprecedented number of MPs will be retiring this spring and so, regardless of the eventual result, we can be sure that the next Parliament will be full of new faces, who will be more open about the need for real change. This election is an excellent opportunity to engage with this new generation of politicians and make them listen.

This should be an exciting year for Unlock Democracy and an ideal time to get involved. If you are a member, have you considered standing for election to our council? The deadline for nominations is 21 January. And if you aren’t a member, you can join for as little as £24 (£12 unwaged). Why not sign up today?

Regardless of how you choose to make a difference in 2010, I hope you will have a productive new year.

With best wishes,

Peter Facey
Director, Unlock Democracy

PS If you haven’t yet read The Unspoken Constitution, a spoof attempt at summarising the UK political system published by Democratic Audit (with contributions by Unlock Democracy and others) at the end of last year, I strongly recommend you do so. It is an excellent – and entertaining – summary of what is wrong with UK politics today and why it needs to change.

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There is so much to support here - and my print-off of the Unspoken Constitution is going to entertain me and make my blood boil - for months.

Don't read this article if you are happy with UK parliament and political system

OK - so you're not happy! - We can change it if we act unitedly and coherently - outside of the normal Labour-Tory-Lib Dem 'box' - We need to start NOW!

In the UK's political system the corruption is subtle not gross - but it is in the system as a whole.

We need tactical voting, focused action on marginal constituencies to prevent a perpetuation of the Tory-Labour-Tory stitch-up - and real commitment to Fair Voting.

The expenses saga was a smoke-screen of incompetent nonsense - but it did provide the only impetus to change the system in the last half century.

The chance may already have been lost. We are now in a last-ditch attempt to prevent us having more of the same. Getting the right people active in the marginal constituencies is the key - along with, "Vote only for those who will commit to Fair Voting!"

The banking scandal, like the expenses saga, creates more heat than light. Both can keep people's attention away from the real issue of a root and branch reform.

But both show the the system is rotten - and point up some of the areas that need the root & branch reform. See my 26 action plan for reform.

I trust the British electorate but they are systematically, and systemically, prevented from having the facts - by the Tory-Labour-Tory stitch-up. You can have any colour you like so long as its Tory Toryism or Blair-Brown Toryism. Certains lies are perpetuated. For example;

PERPETUATED LIE 1: 'You've had a really good and just deal from the Tory-Labour-Tory stitch-up. Most people don't realize that massive transfer of wealth from the majority to a tiny minority - from a 12% ownership down to a mere 1% ownership.

PERPETUATED LIE 2: 'We have to let the rich cheat and be allowed to screw the system and screw the poor and dumb.' No we don't! Let new business people who are content to play fair rise to the top - and let the others clear off.

PERPETUATED LIE 3: The system can't be reformed. Yes it can.

The media, with a few exceptions, in effect, conspire to prevent the public from having vital information. How? - by rarely showing alternatives and leading the electorate to believe that its only a choice is between Tory Toryism and Blair-Brown Toryism. The BBC is failing us badly - it must be reformed.

The most vital of all changes = Fair Voting, but much else is needed in addition to that 'key-stone'.

Cameron in particular is continuing to spread the old 'lies' about PR and the first past the post system. See his Evening Standard article on the subject.

The work of 38degrees and similar organizations will be futile unless they combine to tip the balance in marginal constituencies away from a Tory-Labour-Tory stitch-up.

If like me you are one quarter Green , one quarter Labour, one-quarter Lib-dem and one quarter Tory who do you vote for? Lack of Fair Voting means I can't stay issue-focused. Lack of Fair Voting is what prevents the UK public from ever becoming political - in the sense of debating and choosing issues, and demanding issue-based politics.

Ask every MP, and prospective MP, "Are you willing to change?" - against a set of the most needed changes?

Let's try social justice for a few decades if it doesn't work we can always go back to screwing the dozy majority.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS TRYING TO PREVENT MORE OF THE SAME - one or two might be front organizations - let me know if you know of others


http://www.38degrees.org.uk/#

http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/

http://www.politicshome.com/

http://www.epolitix.com/

http://www.politics.co.uk/

http://www.justsolutions.eu/marginals/startmarginals.html

British Democracy Forum - http://www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/news.html

So you think the Tories and Labour have done us OK over the last 33 years?

"In 1976, excluding property, the bottom half of the UK population owned 12% of the marketable wealth; by 2003 that had fallen to just 1%.

In the same period, the share enjoyed by the top 10% rose from 57% to 71%.

Even when property is included, the bottom half of the population still only owns just 7% of the country’s wealth."

Heartening isn't it!

Source - http://www.respublica.org.uk/articles/spend-investment