Peter Hirst
Election address:
Dear Unlock Democracy Member,
I’m writing to request your first preference vote in the forthcoming election for membership of Unlock Democracy Council.
I would like to continue working on your behalf for the next two years to strengthen our democracy by increasing knowledge, interest, transparency, accountability, fairness and participation in our governance.
We have recently seen an unprecedented attack on our democracy by this government as it demolishes our long-cherished freedoms to protest peacefully, assemble, challenge undemocratic laws, fair elections, universal franchise and proposals to introduce a to introduce a proportional voting system using preferential voting.
We have also witnessed since my previous address progression towards a more centralised state with weakening of the powers of local government with less resources and more responsibilities. It is time to enshrine the existing powers of councils, so it is not possible to reduce or even abolish them by simply passing an act of parliament. We can then start to introduce new powers that could vary within the states and regions of the UK.
I would like to continue working with the other Council members to progress these two aims as well as respond quickly with others to challenges to our governance as they appear.
Unlock Democracy has grown in membership, influence and reputation over the last two years following the appointment of a new Director and his team.
I believe in a vibrant democracy where the people are actively involved and participate in devising and implementing the laws that govern how they organise themselves.
We have our best chance of achieving this lasting change if we work closely with other organisations that share our aims, the media, civil society and all who inhabit our islands.
The Constitution as I see it would, once delivered would be overseen by a constitutional court with powers and resources to strike down any Acts that do not conform with it. The Court would also oversee any attempts to change it.
I see this document as being a modern, living and breathing record. It will help to furnish us with our national identity and distinguish us from other countries. It will contain something of which we can be proud and constant in a changing and challenging world. A copy would be circulated to each household on completion.
This will only be possible if it is done in a way that allows everyone to feel that it has been produced in an open, transparent and inclusive way. This in my view is best done by a Citizens’ Convention in which a random sample of the electorate debates and creates this document over some months. This convention would be informed by a range of experts in constitutional and democratic matters and civil society. It would be decided however by the convention, i.e. ordinary people much like how our jury system works. It would produce several recommendations.
The result of this deliberative process would then be processed into a parliamentary Bill that when passed would be presented to the people for a confirmatory referendum. A result of this lengthy process would be a much better informed and interested electorate in our governance.
All the other issues that we are campaigning on would be within this constitution campaign such as devolution, systems of voting, the funding of political parties, lobbying and revolving door reform, the conduct of referenda, House of Lords reform, local government reform, the freedom and responsibilities of our media.
e would also continue campaigning on specific issues as long as it does not materially interfere with this overarching campaign. If you elect me to Council, this would be my main objective over the next two years.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me using the details shown.
Please give me your 1st preference vote.
Contact Details:
Address: 33 Rushton Drive, Middlewich CW10 ONJ Phone: 01606 737108
Mobile: 07760 203439
Email: hirstp7@gmail.com Twitter.com/peterhirst9 Facebook.com/peter.hirst3 www.linkedin.com/in/consistentwisdom