CHARTER 88 Unlocking democracy

HISTORY Formed in 1988 Started as a publication in the Guardian and New Statesman Charter 88 calls for greater democracy, political institutions that are JUST, OPEN and ACCOUNTABLE and a culture which protects INDIVIDUAL rights, encourages responsibility and values the participation of every citizen

HOW IT WORKS…..? Charter 88 has no links with any political party- it is an independent campaign They are not a membership organisation, their supporters are called signatories (Since 1988 over 82,000 people have signed up) They employ 12 members of staff & volunteers They receive grant funding from some bodies but mostly funded by supporters

Main Points A democratic Parliament A Freedom of Information Act A bill of rights Decentralisation of power A proportional voting system A written constitution

A Democratic Parliament Proportional Representation ICM/Makes Votes Count poll, February 2001 Do you agree or disagree that a referendum should be held on changing the system we use to _elect MPs? Agree: 67% Disagree: 26% Why we need electoral reform? What is proportional representation? Electoral systems of proportional representation aim to provide parties with a ratio of seats as close as is practical to their share of the vote in elections. They also aim to ensure that minorities as well as majorities are represented. What is wrong with is our current system, First Past the Post (FPTP)? Elections serve two main functions. The first is to decide who is to represent a local area or constituency, and the second is to decide the composition of the Commons among the political parties, from which the Government is formed. In terms either of finding the most popular candidate in a constituency or distributing seats among the parties, FPTP is not an efficient system.

Why? Creates ‘electoral deserts’ e.g. in Wales in the 1997 election 19.6% of the votes went to the conservatives yet no conservative MP’s in the whole of Wales--the views of these people are therefore not represented at Westminister!!!!!!!!! SAFE SEATS are bad for democracy, they discourage people from voting at all. FPTP prevents the development of ‘new’ parties or those representing minority interests or groups Because Constituent parties only choose one candidate parties are not currently choosing female candidates or those from minority ethnic groups to fight ‘winnable’ seats Govts are normally elected on a minority vote (43% for labour in 1997)

Solution?- Alternative vote + Charter88's position In its submission to the Jenkins Commission we pressed for the introduction of a more proportional system than the one which it recommended (AV+). However, Charter88 supports the introduction of AV+, after a referendum on the issue between the status quo and AV+, as a minimum improvement in the fairness of the system of electing our MPs. WHAT IS IT? It combines the Alternative Vote system (Voters list can. In order of preference, the last cans are struck out and vote redistributed until one candidate has the overall majority) this makes up about 80% of the seats the extra 20% is through the regional list system

Bill of Rights Most countries have a Bill of Rights. This is a document that sets out the rights (and sometimes) duties of individuals. The Bill of Rights is usually binding on any subsequent legislation. The European Convention on Human Rights, incorporated into British law by the Human Rights Act 1998,came into effect on the 2nd of October This is regarded by many, including Charter88, as a good first step towards a Bill of Rights.

Citizen’s Constitution Charter 88 believes that we need a written constitution Why? To set out the limits of what the government may not do in our name a written constitution must contain a bill of rights granting every citizen a legal remedy if their rights are infringed by the state WHAT WILL IT DO? Set out the way for which we will make and change the rules. It will provide the basic law and fundamental rights that together provide a framework within which our society will live and prosper We want a constitution that the citizens have built themselves e.g. SOUTH AFRICA

Why we need a Freedom of Information Act? F of I is crucial to the political health of a modern democracy It will strenghen the public’s rights to info and reduce the freedom of the govt. to withhold it Authorities should not be able to insist on secrecy just to conceal it’s mistakes, protect an ineffective policy F of I should encourage an OPEN GOVT. where the MP’s rep. Us and we have a right to know what they carry out in our name

RECENT CAMPAIGNS.. House of Lords Campaign making a case for an elected H of L Voting reform urging the govt to set a date for a referendum on the issue they promised in 1997 campaign, work with ‘making votes count campaign’ Campaigning against ID Cards