True Democracy – Phase One

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Introduction

We request that the UK Government organises a referendum to decide if the 2 demands proposed here should be implemented or if we should continue with parliamentary democracy.

Summary of Demand 1: The Legislative Process

Empowers the Electorate to vote on Bills.

Summary of Demand 2: The Referendum Cycle

Empowers the Electorate to create referendums.

Demand 1: The Legislative Process

  1. After a Bill has passed through Parliament, the Bill must be submitted to the Electorate and be approved by a majority of voters to become law. Parliament may pass, without submitting to the Electorate, legislation that has the sole purpose of consolidating legislation. Local Bills may only be voted on by the Electorate in constituencies directly affected. Bills relating to devolved matters of Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales may only be voted on by the Electorate of each respective country.
  1. The Government shall set Voting Days on which the Electorate may vote on Bills. A Bill shall be eligible to appear on a Voting Day only if it passed through Parliament at least four weeks before that Voting Day. Every Bill requiring approval from the Electorate shall be submitted to the Electorate on the first eligible Voting Day.
  1. If a Bill containing amendments to recurring income or expenditure is not approved by a majority of voters, their existing rates shall be active until a new Bill is approved by a majority of voters.
  1. Emergency legislation shall not require approval from the Electorate to become law. The Act shall be on the ballot of the first Voting Day after at least four weeks have passed since it became law, unless the Act is no longer in force. If approved by a majority of voters, the Act shall remain in force. If rejected by a majority of voters, the Act shall be repealed.
  1. Treaties and international organisations shall only be joined or left if approved by a majority of voters.

Demand 2:The Referendum Cycle

There shall be separate Referendum Cycles for the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Stage 1 – The Entry Stage

  • For four weeks, members of the Electorate may vote on and create referendums online. Each creator shall only have one referendum open at a time. Creators can only close their own referendum in the first week of the Entry Stage. Creators shall choose whether their full name and contact information are private or public each time they create a referendum.
  • Once the Entry Stage has concluded, the referendum with the most votes and that meets the criteria will be passed to the Parliamentary Stage.

The criteria for referendums:

  • It seeks to create, amend, or repeal legislation.
  • It does not seek the same outcome as, or a conflicting outcome to, legislation currently before Parliament or the Electorate.
  • Values and dates are provided, if it seeks to create, amend, or repeal an item of income or expenditure. 
  • The referendums of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales shall only relate to their respective devolved matters.

Stage 2 – The Parliamentary Stage

  • The Government shall determine whether a Bill or Statutory Instrument (SI) is required to fulfil the aim of the referendum.
  • Bills and SIs shall go through their usual procedures then they must be on the ballot of the first Voting Day after four weeks have passed since the Bill or SI passed through the Parliamentary Stage. Bills and SIs cannot fail in the Parliamentary Stage.

Stage 3 – The Final Stage

  • If a majority of voters approve, the Bill or SI shall become law.
  • If a majority of voters reject it, the Bill or SI shall be amended. The amended version shall be sent through the Parliamentary Stage before re-entering the Final Stage. If a majority of voters reject the amended version, it has failed, and the Referendum Cycle shall return to the Entry Stage.

Closing Comments

If you believe these two powers do not go far enough in improving our democracy, or if they are found in practice to be flawed, keep in mind that the Referendum Cycle gives the Electorate the opportunity to amend legislation and Parliament may also make legislation to improve True Democracy. I’m aware there are many more ways in which our democracy can be improved, but I consider it important to keep the demands proposed at this initial phase to a minimum, as too many at once would distract from these 2 demands.

This document is titled ‘Phase One’ to emphasise my hope the Electorate will use the two powers provided here to continually improve their democracy.