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 Compulsory voting at elections was the most popular measure to bring more democracy to Britain in a poll held at the Fabian Democracy Day conference.
Ed Miliband MP gave the keynote speech, arguing that democratic reform to address inequalities of power must be an integral part of a progressive agenda.
Compulsory voting at elections was the most popular measure to bring more democracy to Britain, according to a poll held at the Fabian Democracy Day. MP Fiona Mactaggart's proposition to introduce mandatory voting in elections won a Fabian poll at Democracy Day on September 8th.
Her argument won 78% of the audience vote, closely followed by MP Gareth Thomas's argument for the alternate vote, and in third place was Observer columnist Mary Riddell's argument to reform the monarchy.
Six measures were advocated with petitioners Peter Facey, Fiona Mactaggart MP, Ben Page, Mary Riddell, Mandy Telford, and Gareth Thomas MP arguing their cases, against two Democracy "dragons" David Aaronovitch and Michael Wills.
"We have to reform the monarchy and put it on a more democratic footing", argued Mary Riddell.
The dragons were hard to please and dismissed Mary Riddell's idea, arguing that "this would not change anything".
Mandy Telford's proposition of focusing on engaging young people in politics also failed to convince the dragons, as did Ben Page's bid to devolve power to local level.
'Democracy Court: six ideas to improve democracy' with David Aaronovitch (The Times), Michael Wills MP, Peter Facey (Unlock Democracy), Fiona Mactaggart MP, Ben Page (MORI), Mary Riddell (The Observer), Mandy Telford (ex NUS president), Gareth Thomas MP. Chair: Tim Horton (Fabian Society). This debate took place at the Fabian Autumn Conference 'Democracy Day' on September 8, 2007, at the Royal College of Surgeons.
Speakers: David Aaronovitch (The Times), Hazel Blears MP, Martin Bright (New Statesman), Liam Byrne MP, Shami Chakrabarti (Liberty), Stella Creasy (Involve), Peter Facey (Unlock Democracy), Tim Horton (Fabian Society), Simon Hughes MP, Fiona Mactaggart MP, Ben Page (MORI), David Pinto-Duschinsky, Mary Riddell (Observer), Gerry Stoker (University of Southampton), Jessica Studdert (Fabian Society), Mandy Telford (ex NUS President), Gareth Thomas MP, Michael Wills MP, Daniel Zeichner (Labour PPC Cambridge).
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