Edward Andersson
  • Home
  • Services
  • About Me
  • Resources
    • Publications
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Links
  • Contact
  • På Svenska

Constitutional reform -A great first step

7/4/2007

0 Comments

 
Gordon Brown seems to have proven his critics wrong. Rather than the 'iron fisted' 'control freak' we were promised by the tabloids we have a prime minister who yesterday proposed an ambitious constitutional reform programme. If it all comes off Gordon Brown will have less power and Parliament and Local Government will have more.

In today's Guardian Involve published an article arguing that while constitutional reform to increase democratic accountability is morally the right thing to do, the new prime minister must go further. Procedural reforms are unlikely to dent the chronic public disinterest that plagues Britain, with just 33% of those in the bottom social class feeling they can influence government decisions.

The focus needs to be on changing the very culture of government so that it works with, not just for, the people. From empowering frontline staff to work with service users, to using new deliberative forums or asking more of politicians themselves in leading debate, it is vital that fine words on people power do not become corroded by constitutional dogma. We have a powerful opportunity for change. The jury is out as to whether this can and will be grasped.

0 Comments

    Edward Andersson

    This blog is a repository for posts I have made over the years at Involve as well as more personal reflections.

    Archives

    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    July 2010
    May 2010
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    November 2007
    October 2007
    July 2007
    March 2007

    Categories

    All
    Blog
    Climate Change
    Consultation
    Costs And Benefits
    Crime
    Democracy
    Digital
    Duty To Involve
    E Democracy
    E-democracy
    Engagement
    Evaluation
    Facilitation
    Good Practice
    Health
    Innovation
    Involve
    Local Government
    Methods
    Nudge
    Online
    Participation
    Parties
    Politics
    Predictions
    Riots
    Safety
    Sustainable Development
    Turkey

    RSS Feed

Edward Andersson 2013-2018
  • Home
  • Services
  • About Me
  • Resources
    • Publications
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Links
  • Contact
  • På Svenska