In a written statement Michael Wills MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Justice said:

“The Government recognises that the demands on our democracy are evolving. People are less engaged with the formal democratic process. Some, particularly disadvantaged groups and younger people, are increasingly unlikely to vote at elections. Others are chanelling their political activity beyond voting and party politics to protest groups and single issue campaigns. The Government wants to address these challenges by increasing opportunities for people to participate in the decision making processes between elections and in ways that also encourage participation by those whose voices are not often heard”

You can access the discussion paper here  and the Written Ministerial Statement here

“The White Paper has two broad aims. The first is to rehabilitate local political activity as a worthwhile activity, conducted by decent people in pursuit of noble aims. We cannot function as a democracy without strong local democratic institutions and vibrant political parties in every area. Local authorities have a vital role. There are now many excellent examples of councils being at the heart of local democracy, and that should be the case everywhere”

To access the White Paper and further information click here  

CLG are also running a forum, and Hazel Blears has a blog on this paper.

Today also marks the introduction of our first online discussion topicwhich follows on from the publication and presentation of the discussion paper, ‘A National Framework for Greater Citizen Engagement’ to Parliament by the Justice Minister. This discussion will last for about two weeks, but we are going to divide this into themes: talking about levels of current engagment, discussion on deliberative engagement, and discussion on the proposed mechanisms.

Please do take part, but first have a look at the site policies and user rules [pdf 31.5kb]

Off-site Discussions

If you want to hold a discusssion with an exisiting or new group, please do feel free. It would be useful if your feedback could address the main questions set out in the discussion document:

• the government invites views on the criteria for the use of the mechanisms and on what other criteria should be added - these are set out on page 12.

• the government invites views on the proposals for citizens’ summits and citizens’ juries - including what sorts of issues would benefit from the use of these mechanisms and what should be included in any assessment criteria.

Please feedback your groups’ responses to framework@justice.gsi.gov.uk by 1 October 2008

Topic 2 - Deliberative Engagement 

 Thanks for comments so far on current engagement. We’d like to move on to a discussion on deliberative engagement.

The framework is based on a desire to increase engagement, and particularly - through summits and juries - deliberative engagement.

Rather than hold individual conversations (one-to-one) between the government and a member of the public, the Government is keen to explore more deliberative techniques where members of the public come together with government to discuss, exchange views and think through issues together.

It would be useful to get your views on such an approach, when it might be more applicable, the implications of it etc. 

Topic 1 - Current Engagement

Engagement with traditional political structures is reducing or at least changing. Can we start by getting an understanding of the current levels and types of engagement you are involved in or know of? The following might help.

• Are you active in local and / or national politics?
• If so, in what ways?
• Would you like to be more active in local and / or national politics?
• What’s preventing you?
• Are there issues of national policy on which you would like more of a say?

He said that in July last year the Prime Minister outlined steps toward further constitutional reform to renew our democracy, building a new relationship between citizens and government and ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected.

You can read the minister’s statement and access the report here

Launching the consultation, the minister Michael Wills, said:

‘Decisions are made by those who vote. The government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote. As part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place.’

‘The reason elections are traditionally held on Thursdays is obscure. We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people’s busy lives, while also recognising the constraints of money and belief.’

You can read the rest of Michael Wills ministerial statement here

We would like to hear your views. The consultation document can be found here. Let us know what you think

The Empowerment White Paper, to be published in the Summer, will set out how the untapped talent of communities can be unleashed to ensure everyone has a greater say in improvements to public services, local accountability and opportunities for enterprise.

“Local Government has been transformed in recent years. But if we want to deal successfully with today’s new challenges, from climate change to childhood obesity, then we must learn lessons and look at what more we can do to put more communities in control.  Today marks the start of a national debate and I want to hear from the Great British public about what more we can do to reinvigorate the grass roots of local democracy, to encourage active citizenship, and to enable people to connect with their local leaders.”

A discussion document, Unlocking the talent of our communities, has been published which seeks views on a number of issues, including; ways to improve deprived areas, encourage active citizenship, improve local public services by involving local users and strengthen local accountability.

The document is available here.

The survey findings may be viewed here.

This consultation seeks views on how arrangements for local petitions can be strengthened and how the new system might operate. It also seeks views on the Councillors’ Call for Action, introduced under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

The consultation paper may be found here.