The United Kingdom has a new Government, Prime Minister and King as head of state, none of whom were appointed via a transparent process or free vote. As we mourn the passing of a much-loved figurehead, now is the time to call for a people’s assembly to create a written constitution: a living document that reflects the values and traditions that we as a nation hold dear (including freedom, democracy and fairness) and which takes us forward into the 21st century.
A series of meetings, both online and in person, formed of demographically representative citizens chosen by lottery, would have the remit to consider root and branch reform of our electoral and governmental systems. This would include the monarchy, houses of parliament, judiciary and police. Without attempting to prejudge the outcome, by using techniques pioneered in Iceland and Ireland, these constitutional assemblies could remake our institutions to be fit for purpose both today and in the future.
Areas of discussion and concepts such as proportional representation, elected head(s) of state, upper and lower legislative chambers, randomly chosen representatives, expert councils, political party funding, direct democracy, etc. would be debated and decided in a transparent manner, televised and broadcast to the nation, and the results put to the test by a referendum or series of votes.
The assembly would consider the needs of the people and the living environment of our country and planet, and provide a model way forward towards a universal system of governance that could lead to fewer conflicts between and within nation states that currently rule this divided, threatened world.
#UKAssemblyNow #PeoplesAssembly
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