Reclaiming Democracy: A Practical Action Plan for a More Equitable UK

The UK’s democratic system requires both structural reform and sustained public engagement to ensure it truly serves its citizens. This action plan outlines practical steps individuals and communities can take to promote change, inspired by the issues raised in the essay. It’s important to recognise that not all actions are equally feasible in the short term, and a strategic approach is needed to build momentum for lasting change.

1. Demand Electoral Reform

Why: The First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) voting system distorts representation and marginalises smaller parties. Electoral reform is critical for fairer governance.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Support Proportional Representation (PR): Join or donate to campaigns like Make Votes Matter and Electoral Reform Society.
• Lobby Your MP: Write to or meet with your local MP to express support for PR and ask them to back reform efforts in Parliament. Use resources provided by organisations like Unlock Democracy to identify specific actions and talking points.

Long-Term:

• Raise Awareness: Host local discussions, create social media campaigns, or write letters to the press highlighting the need for PR and its potential benefits. Building public understanding and support is crucial for long-term success.

2. Push for the Abolition of the House of Lords

Why: An unelected second chamber undermines democracy and entrenches privilege.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Sign Petitions: Support petitions calling for Lords reform or abolition. Websites like 38 Degrees often host such petitions.
• Educate the Public: Share information about how the House of Lords operates, its lack of democratic legitimacy, and why reform is necessary. Use social media, local events, or discussions with friends and family to spread awareness.

Long-Term:

• Build Coalitions: Collaborate with activist groups focused on modernising UK governance, such as Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society, to build a broader movement for change.

3. Hold Power to Account Locally and Nationally

Why: Transparency and accountability are fundamental to democracy.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Use Freedom of Information (FOI): Submit FOI requests to uncover government practices, particularly around lobbying and public procurement. Websites like WhatDoTheyKnow can help you make and track FOI requests.
• Engage with Local Politics: Attend council meetings, scrutinise budgets, and campaign for greater local decision-making powers. This is a great starting point for broader change as local successes can inspire action at the national level.

Long-Term:

• Organise Watchdog Groups: Form community groups to monitor local or national government activities and report findings publicly.

4. Build a Plural and Independent Media Landscape

Why: A free and diverse media is essential to challenge concentrated power and provide balanced information.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Support Independent Outlets: Subscribe to or donate to independent news platforms like Novara Media, Byline Times, or local journalism initiatives. Consider supporting investigative journalism through organisations like the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
• Create Media Content: Use blogs, podcasts, or social media to amplify underrepresented voices and stories. Share content from independent media sources.

Long-Term:

• Campaign for Media Reform: Back initiatives that push for limits on media ownership concentration and increased funding for public broadcasters like the BBC.

5. Engage in Climate and Social Justice Movements

Why: Climate breakdown and inequality are both products and accelerants of systemic governance failures. Addressing these crises requires collective action.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Join Activist Groups: Participate in organisations like Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter UK, or local community groups addressing these issues.
• Coordinate Local Action: Organise campaigns for renewable energy projects, affordable housing, or social justice initiatives. Starting locally can be more manageable and build momentum for larger campaigns.

Long-Term:

• Link Movements: Collaborate across causes to highlight the connections between environmental, economic, and political crises.

6. Advocate for Devolution and Regional Empowerment

Why: Centralised power in Westminster marginalises regional voices and perpetuates inequality.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Engage in Devolved Politics: Vote in and participate in devolved elections in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Support candidates and parties that advocate for greater regional autonomy.
• Support English Devolution: Advocate for regional assemblies or councils with greater powers in England.

Long-Term:

• Campaign for Federalism: Support campaigns for a federal UK that empowers nations and regions.

7. Strengthen Democratic Education and Citizen Participation

Why: An informed and engaged citizenry is vital for a functioning democracy.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Promote Civic Education: Work with schools and community organisations to introduce workshops or materials on democracy and governance. Share resources from organisations like the Association for Citizenship Teaching.
• Host Town Halls: Create spaces where citizens can discuss political issues and develop collective solutions. While traditionally called “town halls” in the US, the UK equivalent would be local community meetings or public forums organised by residents, community groups, or even local councils.

Long-Term:

• Use Participatory Budgeting: Advocate for local councils to adopt participatory budgeting, where communities decide directly how to allocate public funds. This can be a powerful way to increase citizen engagement and build trust in local government.

8. Join or Build Grassroots Movements

Why: Real change often comes from below, driven by organised and persistent collective action.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Join Political Campaigns: Volunteer with groups fighting for structural reforms like Unlock Democracy or regional independence movements.
• Build Local Networks: Form neighbourhood or community action groups focused on specific democratic issues. Start small and build relationships with like-minded individuals.

Long-Term:

• Amplify Voices: Use platforms to highlight marginalised communities and their struggles within the current system, ensuring their voices are heard in the broader movement for democratic reform.

9. Protest and Engage in Direct Action

Why: Protest is a critical tool for expressing dissatisfaction and applying pressure to those in power.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Participate in Protests: Join demonstrations that demand democratic reforms, climate action, or social justice.
• Organise Community Action: Plan local demonstrations, art installations, or flash mobs to draw attention to key issues.

Long-Term:

• Practise Civil Disobedience: Consider peaceful acts of civil disobedience to highlight systemic failures, as seen in movements like Extinction Rebellion.

10. Push for a New Democratic Vision

Why: Reforming democracy is about building a new political system that works for everyone, not just tinkering with the old one. This new vision should be based on principles of greater citizen participation, more direct democracy, increased transparency and accountability, and a fairer distribution of power.

Actions:

Short-Term:

• Develop Manifestos: Work with local groups to create bold visions for what a new democratic UK could look like.

Long-Term:

• Run for Office: If possible, stand for local or national office to directly champion reform.
• Build Alliances: Collaborate with others who share a vision for a fairer, more participatory political system.

Alternative Democratic Models:

• Deliberative Democracy: This involves creating spaces for citizens to deliberate on important issues and make recommendations to policymakers. Citizens’ assemblies, like the one used in Ireland to address issues like abortion and climate change, are an example of this model.
• Sortition: This involves selecting representatives randomly from the population, similar to jury duty, to make decisions on specific issues. This can help to ensure that decision-making bodies are more representative of the population as a whole.
• Participatory Budgeting: This allows citizens to directly decide how part of a public budget is spent. Porto Alegre in Brazil is a well-known example of a city that has successfully implemented participatory budgeting.

Addressing Challenges

Implementing these actions will face challenges. There will be resistance from those who benefit from the current system, including some politicians, powerful interest groups, and media owners. Public apathy and cynicism towards politics can also be significant obstacles. It is important to acknowledge that many individuals and community groups have limited resources. To maximise impact, focus on local actions, build coalitions with other groups, and utilise free or low-cost tools like social media for organising and communication.

Inclusion and Diversity

It is crucial to ensure that marginalised voices are heard and included in the process of democratic renewal. This means actively seeking out and amplifying the voices of women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. All proposed reforms should be analysed through an equity lens, considering how they will impact different groups in society.

Conclusion

Active citizenship is the cornerstone of democratic renewal. By organising, educating, and mobilising, we can reclaim democracy in the UK and ensure it serves the many, not the few. Each of us has a role to play in building a fairer political system—and the time to act is now. By starting with more achievable, short-term goals and gradually working towards more ambitious, long-term reforms, we can build a movement for a truly democratic UK. Remember, change often starts at the local level. By engaging in our communities and building strong local networks, we can create a foundation for broader national change. The journey towards a more democratic society is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires sustained effort, collaboration, and a commitment to building a better future for all.