Thanks a lot to Bridget Fox for kickstarting the debate, both on her own blog and at the Guardian, over the motion “Giving Citizens a Voice in Parliament” which David Boyle and myself will be proposing at party conference next month:
This process might not have stopped the Iraq War (no legislation there) – but it could potentially have reversed such controversial measures as the poll tax or the Dangerous Dogs act, Section 28 or the hunting ban. And it could ensure a real public debate on issues like nuclear power, ID cards, or a third runway at Heathrow.
Even if the results in terms of legislation implemented are not dramatically different, the impact on the process of having people – and politicians – aware that they can really influence the agenda between elections could be revolutionary.
I couldn’t have put it better myself!