London Working Group Notes: Why power needs to be brought closer to the people

Alexandra Runswick of Unlock Democracy introduced the Workshop – see YouTube video below

21^st century Magna-Carta – Unlock Democracy project
Information: mySociety + Democracy Club: education and schools – active citizen
Do we care? – outsource responsibility, re-call, must have real choice
Ecology and sustainability
Direct action – e.g. housing developers
Systems – randomise it, professionalisation – men in suits
Voting system – registration 2011 referendum 😦
Money, finances and economics – debt, debt, debt – CRASSSSH! Money is power – fiat versus other money. Positive money UK, BitCoin, Corporatocracy
Promises and accountability
National – Local – participatory budgeting, sustainable communities act e.g. Hackney betting shops – crumbs!
Party system and alternatives. “The enemy of democracy” – Mary Parker Follett. Fringes + enliven. Party membership declining over time.