Alarm bells are ringing as voters turn away from the political process at local and national level, amid falling levels of trust in government. Turnout at the recent general election was a record low of 59% and the obvious danger is that the far right will fill the vacuum.
That’s why the idea of creating assemblies of one type or another is so important. Assemblies can respond to the sense of powerlessness many people feel by empowering communities. By upscaling and creating networks, assemblies also have the potential to become more than local bodies.
Assemblies
Assemblies first emerged in ancient Greece. The system known as demokratia – literally, people and power – was based on the idea that all free adult males should have a say in the government. More recently, citizens’ assemblies have mushroomed as a way of consulting on big issues. One led to major constitutional changes in Ireland and proposals for enhanced democracy in Iceland. Many consultative assemblies have been held by local councils.
There was an extensive and lengthy assembly on the future of UK democracy after Brexit. The final report is a disturbing read, revealing widespread discontent with the way things are and making recommendations for extensive change.
South Tyneside
A good example of the challenges we face is on South Tyneside, where in my opinion the local authority has a deep-rooted reputation for sidestepping community interests. As a result, at election after election, the ruling Labour group has lost what was a huge majority to independents and the Greens, with turnouts as low as 20% in some wards.
Things came to a head earlier in September when the council tried to bulldoze through their Local Plan – a scheme to build on green belt and fertile farming land near the Fell gate district. Like other boroughs, there is an acute shortage of housing on South Tyneside. There are brownfield sites aplenty, but these are expensive to build on as the land is often contaminated.
Fellgate residents were unsurprisingly furious when the council hierarchy chose the easy option in drawing up its local housing plan and they mounted a vigorous campaign to save the green belt, amassing over 3,000 signatures in opposition.
Despite this, the council deemed that the petition had missed a deadline and dismissed it as ‘noted’. Nevertheless, when the plan went to a full council meeting, a combined opposition vote plus several defections from the ruling Labour group, saw the plan defeated. Even threats that the new government would impose the same plan from Whitehall cut no ice. This whole situation could have been avoided by simply allowing different voices at the decision-making table.
Citizens’ Assembly South Tyneside
While many assemblies have been well funded, with participants carefully selected to create a balanced and diverse group, Citizens’ Assembly South Tyneside (CAST) was launched in 2019 as a voluntary, non-affiliated, community-led organisation. It was formed by local people who felt that our ‘ordinary’ voices were seldom heard – and even less often acted on – by those taking the decisions on our behalf.
We’ve held public assemblies and consultations on issues such as democracy, universal basic income, community-led housing and UN climate talks! We’ve organised ‘Question Time’ style events, with guests including former Police Commissioner now North East Combined Authority Mayor, Kim McGuinness. Since 2021, we’ve secured National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England funding to put together a series of fundays to offer families free events through the summer holidays.
CAST is currently planning a campaign for a borough-wide referendum on a return to a more transparent and democratic committee system. This would replace the current ‘leader and cabinet’ system used by South Tyneside Council which concentrates all decision-making powers into the hands of a small group of just nine Labour councillors. A similar campaign in Sheffield attracted widespread support and compelled the council to switch to a committee system.
Clearly, there is a wider picture. Local government has lost much of its independence to Whitehall and suffered drastic cuts in grants over the past decades. Reversing this trend must be a priority if local communities are to thrive. Of course, campaigning for more resources is essential but what would also help here is if different and innovative approaches were brought to the table instead of constantly looking for different ways to simply cut spending.
An opportunity to take part
How can assemblies develop? What can they become? What’s their future in an enhanced democracy? I’m joining a panel to discuss these very questions online on 2 October and you’re welcome to take part. There’s free registration for the event.
Key figures taking part include Jamie Driscoll, who was independent candidate for North East Mayor, Rich Wilson, who is organising a global assembly for the United Nations, and John McDonnell MP, the former Shadow Chancellor. Hope to see you too!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
