Where do I Stand? :: Direct Democracy

Whatever faith people had in the political process is in tatters. I’ve seen that directly on the doorstep. It’s tempting to blame the expenses scandal, but people were already pulling away from politics before the stories emerged.

It’s not because they don’t care about politics but because people feel disempowered by the way we do politics. Apart from the occasional vote, there’s almost nothing ordinary people can do to influence decision-making.

We need to pursue a programme of radical decentralization. Over the years, power has become ever more remote. That is true at every level. But it is particularly true at local level, where the Local Authorities have been stripped of their powers by successive governments.

The planning system for instance offers virtually no room at all for local involvement, and gives distant and unaccountable figures the power to impose major developments on communities that do not want them. Even where residents, local councillors and elected MPs are united in determined opposition, their wishes can be and so often are simply brushed aside by a remote planning bureaucrat.  Decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level. Local authorities, schools, hospitals and police forces must be able to decide what is best for the people in their region, rather than Whitehall telling them what is best for them.

In my view, people should be able to earn the right to vote out of office any Councillor or MP, if enough signatures are collected. This would keep politicians on their toes.

I’d go further. People should be able to trigger referendums on a wide range of important issues, locally and nationally. It shouldn’t be too easy, but it should be possible. The effect would be much better informed and more widespread debate.

This is an issue I have written about extensively. If you’d like to see more, please click the following links. I have also established an All-Party Parliamentary Group to pursue this agenda, in addition to publishing two Bills – on Recall and on local Referendums. My EDM on local referendums has the backing, so far, of 20 MPs.  (Read more here:  Zac leads debate on political and democratic reform: Link)

This is an issue I have written about extensively. If you’d like to see more, please click the following links:

• Zac congratulated for Championing Right to Recall Politicians
  
• Zac Goldsmith: True Recall

• Tax Payers Alliance: We need a proper recall system, not a Westminster stitch-up

• We were promised we'd be able to recall MPs...
  
• Zac's Recall Bill EDM
  
• Government confirms that local people can trigger referendums
  
• People Power - a Revolution in Democracy
  

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