Take Back Control, Renew Our Democracy
Our democracy was always rigged for an elite few and locks out the rest of us. It’s now threatened by gerrymandering, vote suppression, voter alienation, dark money and biased media. We need to take back control. Take action now!
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The Change We Need
1. Make Our Representatives Representative
Replacement of first past the post with a form of proportional representation for all elected positions
Secured and expanded voting rights; repeal of voting suppression legislation; correction of partisan gerrymandering.
Replacement of the House of Lords with a democratically elected Senate representative of regions and communities
Replacement of the Monarchy with a democratically elected Head of State
Replacing the pledge of allegiance with an oath of office and service to constituents
Reducing the voting age to 16
Scrapping anti-protest legislation
Automatic or same day electoral registration
Scrapping all hereditary titles
Scrapping all political titles used in parliamentary chambers
Scaling back of regalia and pomp in official ceremonies to make politics seem more relevant, relatable and accessible to people
Outreach campaigns to bring awareness and knowledge of political systems to communities typically underrepresented in politics
2. For The People, Not Private Interests
Electoral spending caps lowered
Political donation limits lowered
Politicians’ expenses replaced with limited allowances
Greater scrutiny powers for the legislature over the executive and full restoration of judicial review
Banning politicians holding paid second occupations outside of politics, board memberships / advisory roles and ownership of stocks and shares; banning politicians from lobbying on behalf of private companies after holding office
Automatic public publishing of tax returns for public officials
Overhaul of the honours system: increase public scrutiny of and involvement in the nomination process; restrict criteria to services to the local / national / global community or the public good; replace imperial symbols with representations of democratic values
3. Abolish Politicians
Scaled back role of representative democracy outsourced to politicians by expanding the role of local and deliberative decision-making by citizens in most political and economic areas, including: permanent citizens assemblies, participatory budgeting and community wealth building
4. A Free, Fair And Socially Responsible Media
Democratisation of the media: strengthening anti-monopoly regulations; election of directors general; expansion of neutrality regulations, applying the same regulations to print that apply to televised news; improved access to capital for new and independent media; restrictions on paid advertising in media; a constitutional right to unbiased public information
Democratic oversight and regulation of tech giants and social media companies
Debates over freedom of speech and cancel culture reframed around material bases and positive freedom
5. Take Back Control: Democratise Everything
A modern, written constitution including political, economic, social and environmental rights
Increase citizen oversight of the military including military courts, investments and procedures
Invest in and support models of workplace democracy: expansion of the cooperative sector; introduction of codetermination legislation; public ownership of public services
Make Change
See our guides to making change in your political party or trade union.
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