Radical proposal for people power
iniref | 11.01.2014 17:09 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Birmingham
Radical political change can be achieved in a step-wise manner. Abuse of power by business corporations was a reason for the introduction of citizen led direct democracy in parts of the United States of America around the turn of the 20th century. A serious proposal to introduce a form of citizen-led democracy, "the recall", has recently been announced in Britain. Further progress should bring in the right to citizens' law proposition and referendum on demand.
The member of parliament for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith (former editor of The Ecologist) has proposed a law to introduce the "recall", a form of citizens' initiative which enables voters to sack their own constituency MP without having to wait for the next general election.
Presenting a private member's bill he asked in the House of Commons (4 December 2013)
"That leave be given to bring in a Bill to permit voters to recall their elected representatives in specified circumstances"
Goldsmith briefly describes the Recall procedure:
"If a percentage of constituents—usually around 20%—sign a petition in a given time frame, they earn the right to have a referendum in which voters are asked whether they want to recall their MP. If more than half of the voters say yes, there is a subsequent by-election."
MPs' voted on this proposal in parliament: For 127 Against 17
Next presentation ("reading") of the law proposal (bill) in parliament
Friday 28 February
Background links
Hansard report (parliamentary proceedings, result of MPs' vote, naming members for and against)
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131204/debtext/131204-0002.htm#13120494000002 Zac Goldsmith's talk to parliament, text for reference
http://www.iniref.org/recall.UK2013-4.html News report + video from parliament
http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-25216897 "Introduce a proper Recall mechanism for MPs" Open on-line petition to parliament
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/56449 ------------------------------------------------------------------
FRIENDS AND READERS please spread this news with link to on-line petition to all your contacts and in social media such as facebook and twitter. Facebook has blocked OUR DIRECT DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN PAGES. Ask your local MP to support the Recall Bill at its next reading in February 2014.
Report by
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R ~ GB
http://www.iniref.org/ Link to site index http://www.iniref.org/carta.htm Election campaign call
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