NEWS & EVENTS
"Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting
myself of the holds that would hold me." - Walt Whitman
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ENGLAND RISING
Recent years have seen increasing anxieties over the the questions, and very existence, of England and the English among radicals and the wider political spectrum alike. Two new initiatives give voice to these concerns, they are the St George's Committee and the English Community Group (Leicester). What both groups hold in common are their beliefs in the English as a distinct cultural community, which needs suport and expression - starting at local level. Both groups are non party-political. Their websites may be found on our Links and Allies page.
A RADICAL VOICE FOR THE NORTH
The Hannah Mitchell Foundation - newly formed, is due for its official launch in March. Two quotes from the foundation may be used to introduce them and their aims:
`The foundation is a forum for the development of a distinctive democratic socialism in the North, rooted in our ethical socialist traditions of mutuality, co-operation, community and internationalism.'
`The Foundation will develop as a forum for discussion on the most appropriate forms of devolution for the North of England. We do not have fixed view, as of now, on powers for devolved government or whether there should be separate assemblies for the North-East, North-West and Yorkshire.'
More information is to be found on the Hannah Mitchell Forum website [See our Links page].
FUTURES PROJECT LATEST
As a contribution to this project an essay on integrative social theory, 'Values for Our Time', has been posted on this site, initially with access for subscribers only.
UNCIVILISATION!
Last year the Dark Mountain Project ran their second Uncivilisation Festival. Held in Hampshire, over three days (19th, 20th, and 21st August) there were a wide range of entertainments and events, ranging from music, and literary discourses to displays of practical skills. The Dark Mountain Project publish a book annually, and the volume for this year is now available. Further details of the project, their activities and publications may be found on the Dark Mountain and Uncivilisation websites - both to be found on our Links and Allies page. The themes of the Dark Mountain Project resonate with the Futures Project of Devolve!
LOCALISM BILL - RECOMMENDATIONS
Citizens' Initiative & Referendum, Campaign for direct democracy in Britain, have published and distributed (inluding a copy to Parliament) a list of recommendations to the above bill. This has now reached Report stage in the House of Commons. Below is (their) abridged version, full details can be found on their site [see our Links page].
Recommendations:
1. The Local Referendum initiated by resident citizens. (We refer to Localism Bill Part 4, Community empowerment. Chapter 1 Local referendums)
a) The citizens' referendum may address all matters within the power of the council -- some lobbyists have called for restrictions here.
b) The result of a referendum shall be legally binding in the same way as a decision of the council.
2. New regulation of Parish Polls and town polls. (We refer to Localism Bill Part 4, Community empowerment. Chapter 1, Local referendums, Clause 53 Application to parish councils.)
a) A poll should usually address matters in the area of responsibility of the parish or other council. However, appeals to higher levels of government could also be made via local poll.
b) A decision of the electorate should be legally binding on the relevant parish council. At present the citizen-led poll is only advisory.
c) Polling arrangements. These should be at least as "voter-friendly" as the arrangements for local elections. Every elector should be told in advance about the poll and its topic. Postal voting should be enabled, opening hours for polling stations should be reasonable.
d) Triggering a poll should be done as recommended by
democracy experts. This means that a substantial number of electors, not just
a handful, should be required in order to demand a referendum. This would give
more democratic "clout" to the whole procedure. A sliding scale, currently
used in The Netherlands, offers a guide to proportion of "signatures"
needed, depending on size of the political unit (village, town, etc.). For example,
in a hamlet with 100 voters, say one in ten proposers would be needed, for a
town with 10 thousand inhabitants, one in a hundred should suffice.
NEW RECALL CAMPAIGN
Besides the campaign for the Alternative vote, Unlock Democracy are also calling for other crucial reforms. Currently, Unlock Democracy are campaigning for the introduction of recall - giving constituents a mechanism to remove their M. P. This reform has the potential to give constituents more power over their M.P. than the Whips' Office and the rest of the party machinery.
5th OF MAY
This date offers (aside from local council elections) all registered voters the choice to choose, by means of referendum, a new voting system for Parliamentry Elections - a first for this country. Much 'mainstream' comment has perhaps predictably concentrated on perceptions over party advantages/disadvantages, giving inadequate coverage to the crucial point - that the Alternative Vote might result in a Parliament which better reflects the wishes of the electorate. The very fact of this referendum is in itself 'Historic', why pass on the opportunity to make your mark? [See the site of Unlock Democracy on our Links Page for further details].
THE DARK MOUNTAIN PROJECT
This recently formed group describe themselves as 'A Space For Conversations In A Time Of Global Disruption', and as 'A New Cultural Movement In An Incresingly Unstable World'. They aim to question the assumptions of progress, and seek to find new ideas and ways of living in the age ahead. Our Links page has two sites of interest - The Dark Mountain, and an allied site - Uncivilisation.
KEEP CORNWALL WHOLE
The Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Bill (presently going through Parliament) intends to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600. As part of the scheme it is proposed that the present Cornish constituency is to be enlarged into Devon, creating a new 'Devonwall' seat. this is being opposed by many parties and groups within cornwall as anti-democratic and an attack on Cornish identity, campaigns against this 'rationalisation' are being held.
STIRRINGS IN THE REGIONS
In the past few months new initiatives have been started, and recent successes built upon.
The Regionalist Front of Dumnonia formed during the run-up to the General Election, argues for a semi-autonomous region based on Devon and Kernow, their site can be found on our Links page.
A proposal for an English Confederation of Regions is also in the early stages of formation.
These new groups from different perspectives, but they all have in common commitments to: devolution, regionalism, and building democracy from the ground - without deferrence to the state.
After their successful 'Midlands After Meltdown' conference, the Acting Witan of Mercia plan a follow-up meeting this summer - precise details not yet available. See their site on our Links page for updates
NEW HUB LINK FOR FUTURES PROJECT
The Communications and Resources Group, intended to link the Aspect Groups looking at aspects of our future, now has a direct contact mail box. To make contact go first to the Getting Involved page via the 'Information' menu above.
Devolve! Futures Project moves forward...
Following feedback from around the Devolve! network on this controversial project, the invitation to respond to the future has been re-issued.
The launching group has now handed over to the Aspects of the Future working teams...
TRANSITION TOWN MOVEMENT GATHERS PACE
As the limits to growth predicted by the 'Club of Rome' in the 1970's begin to bite and to affect all our lives, creative responses are emerging - not from 'the system' but out of civil society: from people and their networks. One example of this is the Transition Town network, which is spreading rapidly across England and our neighbours. The central idea is working towards a co-ordinated "energy descent" that will provide both the resilience to respond to peak oil and the carbon emission reduction called for by the threat of climate change. Leicester is just one of the towns/cities whose transition initiative has recently been endorsed by the Transition Network. A link from our Links Page to their WIKI has now been added.
Responsible Stewards
The new Responsible Stewards site, an addition to our Links page (see Radical Economics and Ecology section) seeks to question the assumptions behind the social and economic consensus behind Neo-Liberalism and Neo-Conservatism. The proposals from this group challenge many of the Jacobin or 'Statist' ideals constructed before - and particularly during the 'Enlightenment' and beyond to the present day. An alternative world-view is offered based on stewardship, fairness, social pluralism and an integrative approach.
How recent are these additions? Each topic lead is a link to some web text updated in recent months. The colour of the symbol alongside it indicates the month amended, as follows:
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English Community Group (Leicester) p
The Hannah Mitchell Foundation p
Localism Bill - recommendations p
New Futures Project contact point p
Futures Project second issue p
Transition Towns movement on the move p
England Devolve! speaks out on England p
More news and events on allied sites!