{"id":5372,"date":"2021-02-18T12:18:52","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T12:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.electoral-reform.org.uk\/?p=5372"},"modified":"2021-02-19T16:26:52","modified_gmt":"2021-02-19T16:26:52","slug":"holyrood-must-take-forward-the-citizens-assemblys-calls-to-revamp-scottish-democracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/electoral-reform.org.uk\/holyrood-must-take-forward-the-citizens-assemblys-calls-to-revamp-scottish-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Holyrood must take forward the Citizens\u2019 Assembly’s calls to revamp Scottish democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A coalition of civil society organisations and community groups is calling on MSPs to implement the findings of the landmark Citizens\u2019 Assembly of Scotland, as Holyrood debates the Assembly\u2019s findings on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Electoral Reform Society Scotland has organised a joint letter from nearly 20 community groups and campaigners from across the country, calling for citizens to be involved in decision-making in their areas outside of election time.<\/p>\n

The Citizens\u2019 Assembly<\/a> of Scotland \u2013 100 people picked to be broadly representative of the country \u2013 showed we can lead the way in building a stronger, more community-led democracy. And it showed citizens themselves can shape the path forward for Scotland after this pandemic.<\/p>\n

But MSPs must do more than debate the findings \u2013 they must take forward proposals to boost scrutiny and transparency, and open up decision-making to local communities.<\/p>\n

From new local assemblies (as set out by the ERS here<\/a>), to a House of Citizens<\/a> scrutinising legislation, politicians can start to share power and ensure that as we come out of this crisis, everyone has a stake in shaping what comes next.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that people want a clearer say in shaping their areas, and we need to see a vision for local democracy taken forward by MSPs that captures this.<\/p>\n

Amazingly despite the pandemic, the Citizens\u2019 Assembly was able to continue and make really powerful, creative recommendations for moving politics outside of town halls and into communities.<\/p>\n

The report must not be marked \u2018job done\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s a blueprint for a renewed Scotland, drawing on all this country\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n

See our full joint letter, published in the Scotsman<\/em> today<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Joint letter: MSPs \u2013 It\u2019s time for Holyrood to trust in communities across Scotland by backing the Citizens\u2019 Assembly<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

This Thursday, MSPs meet to discuss the findings of Scotland\u2019s ground-breaking Citizens\u2019 Assembly, a democratic process reflecting the diversity of the country. The Assembly brought everyday citizens together to debate the big issues facing us, and its calls deserve all our attention.<\/em><\/p>\n

The 60 proposals for Scotland\u2019s future provide a template for more accountable ways of doing politics here: for democracy to be genuinely local, grassroots, and not just an event every five years. Assembly members of all backgrounds were clear that more needs to be done in Scotland to move power out of Holyrood and into local communities.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Assembly overwhelmingly recommended \u2013 with 90% support \u2013 establishing community-based citizens\u2019 assemblies as we come out of the current crisis, a recommendation we wholeheartedly endorse. These would hold councils to account between elections and let residents shape their place\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Communities themselves have the best knowledge of the skills and experience within their areas, and must be at the heart of paving a positive way out of this pandemic. People need more involvement in plotting a socially just recovery. The appetite is there: now they need resources and real support.<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the past few years ERS Scotland and the Our Democracy coalition have worked with communities across Scotland \u2013 including some of the most left behind areas\u00a0 \u2013 and the message we\u2019ve heard time and again is that people want a clearer say, not just during elections.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

We urge all parties to listen to the Assembly, and people across Scotland, and do something brave: share power, and give everyone a stronger stake in deciding what comes next.<\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. Willie Sullivan, Director, ERS Scotland<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Dr Oliver Escobar, Co-Director, What Works Scotland<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Amanda Burgauer, Common Weal and Our Democracy Coalition\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Stacey Felgate & Rhona Dougall, Organisers, The People\u2019s Council (Argyll)<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Dr Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy & Research, Common Weal<\/em><\/li>\n
  6. Fiona Garven, Director, Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC), incorporating the Community Health Exchange (CHEX) and PB Scotland<\/em><\/li>\n
  7. Matt Baker. Orchestrator, The Stove Network (Dumfries)<\/em><\/li>\n
  8. James Robertson, Campaigns Manager, Sortition Foundation<\/em><\/li>\n
  9. Abigale Neate Wilson, Project Manager, Agile City CIC<\/em><\/li>\n
  10. Planning Democracy<\/em><\/li>\n
  11. Angus Hardie, Director, Scottish Community Alliance<\/em><\/li>\n
  12. Glasgow Tool Library<\/em><\/li>\n
  13. Democratic Society<\/em><\/li>\n
  14. Dr Gemma Bone Dodds, WEAll Scotland Trustee<\/em><\/li>\n
  15. Lewis McLachlan, Founder of Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts. CIC<\/em><\/li>\n
  16. Martin Avila, Director, Kinning Park Complex<\/em><\/li>\n
  17. Professor Richard Kerley<\/em><\/li>\n
  18. Pauline Grandison, Programme Manager, Coalfields Regeneration Trust<\/em><\/li>\n
  19. Enid Trevett,\u00a0Kincardine Community Association Ltd<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The relevant section of the CA report is called \u2018How decisions are taken<\/a>\u2019. Members thought government scrutiny and citizen-led decision making were so key to Scotland\u2019s future, with these calls making up almost a quarter of all the recommendations.<\/p>\n

    Of the 14 recommendations on scrutiny and citizens\u2019 involvement, the majority got 90% agreement, with the full range being from low 80s to the high 90s. That means they all achieved a broad consensus in their backing from the representative assembly.<\/p>\n

    Members also found that Holyrood is opaque and unaccountable, which might chime with a growing sense that power in Holyrood is too centralised.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s time to transform Scottish democracy and put citizens at the centre.<\/p>\n

    Sign our petition calling for a House of Citizens<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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