EDM 1763 Unlocking Democracy

Hi Everyone

Sorry folks for any cross or inappropriate posting, but this issue is
quite important.

In time for the Parliament's return in October I am writing to urge
you to please support, and spread the word about, EDM 1763: the
recently proposed Citizens Convention Bill. Best thing to do is go see
your MP at his or her surgery, direct, or call/write to them in
person, using the ship  http://www.theyworkforyou.com and urge them to
support EDM 1763.

FYI the (refreshingly short, and sweet) Bill, is set out at the bottom
of this mail.

This proposal, which appears to be neither a Brown, Cameron or Menzies
Campbell initiative (although it will require our active support and
vigilance to ensure that it does not become one) already has cross
party support, and is currently at the EDM (Early Day Motion stage)
which means it still needs a lot of MPs to put their name to it if it
is to become law. You can read more about it, and how to support it,
here:  http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/0707-brown-web.pdf

And, for a u-tube presentation by one of its creators, Ron Bailey, go here
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LAYI6kSzdA

PLEASE PLEASE can everyone ask their MP to add their name to this EDM
1763, currently before Parliament. EDM 1763 reads: "That this House
notes the expressed desire of the rt. hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and
Cowdenbeath to `build a shared national consensus for a programme of
constitutional reform'; believes that a participative process for
achieving that consensus and involving citizens more directly in
democratic decision-making is required as a matter of urgency; and
therefore supports the Citizens' Convention Bill, sponsored by a
cross-party group of hon. Members, which would require the
establishment of that process."

A copy of this message has been posted on Indymedia. I will write /
post again about nearer to October 8th, the date of Parliamentary
return. Also, I'll be doing a flier to give out in my local community
asking people to contact their MP asking him or her to support, and to
ask their friends and colleagues in different constituencies to do the
same.

Please could everyone forward this message to everyone they know.

Cheers, Mark

Citizens' Convention Bill (Draft)

1. Citizens' Convention

(1) For the purposes of

(a) modernising the way in which the United Kingdom is governed; and
(b) involving the citizens of the United Kingdom in that process

the Secretary of State must within 12 months establish a citizens' convention.

(2) Before establishing the Citizens' Convention the Secretary of
State must consult citizens of the United Kingdom and without
prejudice to the generality this must include community organisations,
organisations that have an interest in the governance of the United
Kingdom, organisations that have an interest in the environment,
business organisations, trade unions and the voluntary sector,
regarding the way in which the Convention shall be set up and shall
discharge its functions.

(3) In particular the Secretary of State must take all reasonable
steps to ensure that persons from the most under-represented,
disadvantaged and disengaged sections of society are involved in the
Convention.

(4) The Convention shall include meetings and other mechanisms to
involve citizens in all parts of the United Kingdom

2. Implementation of recommendations by the Citizens Convention.

(1) It shall be the duty of the Citizens' Convention to make
recommendations to achieve the purposes specified in section 1.

(2) The Secretary of State must co-operate with the Convention in
deciding upon the implementation of the recommendations made by the
Convention.