Increasing citizens' engagement with political power
The Commission on Political Power has today published ideas for how to improve UK democracy by engaging citizens better. Falling trust is a serious problem as a result of scandals like 'partygate', financial corruption and government incompetence. This has to change.
Democracy is a complex web of checks and balances that must engage citizens and a government that simplistically claims it can do what it likes following election is a dictatorship, not a democracy.
The Commission, a collection of experts and thinkers, has published a paper with seven options.
Option one: Foster the use of deliberative processes such as citizens' assemblies, people's panels and other tools that help politicians' decision-making
Option two: Prioritise engaging and empowering young people to understand and take part in politics and believe they have a stake in our democracy - through activism and education
Option three: The public must be better informed about our political system
Option four: Local government and other models increase citizen engagement in democracy at a local and regional level
Option five: Representation in civic society organisations can help foster greater engagement in democracy and accountability
Option six: Primaries to select party candidates for parliamentary and local council candidates enhance engagement
Option seven: The ethics and output of the media present challenges to greater democratic engagement. The demise of local media across the UK should be reversed and the impact of social media considered
Frances Crook, Co-Convenor, said: "The Commission is working with other organisations and politicians to promote informed discussion about how to improve our democratic structures. It will work throughout 2024 to make sure that democracy and constitutional challenges are part of the general election conversation. Our democracy is broken, it needs fixing."
Contact Frances Crook 07778 740 653
The full paper is on the Commission website at
Options paper 4: Increasing citizens' engagement with political power
See Commission on Political Power for previous papers on reform of the House of Lords, Executive and Head of State.