Fabians launch democratic reform consultation

The Fabian Society has launched a policy consultation on the crucial issue of democratic reform. Working with an advisory panel of senior Labour activists, we aim to stimulate debate across the Labour movement about how the Labour party should tackle falling trust in politics, Conservative attacks on democracy and Labour’s electoral mountain to climb. You can read more about the project in this Labourlist article by Jonathan Reynolds MP.

To ensure this consultation reaches as many people as possible, we have launched a new, interactive, discussion website which can be found here. We have also announced discussion meetings taking place around the UK with local Fabian Societies. You can see the events near you by going here.

We are encouraging all Labour members and supporters to get involved in the debate by debating policy proposals, and suggesting policy ideas themselves. A range of bold ideas have already been proposed on the website, including electoral reform, lobbying transparency, reform of party funding and gender quotas.

The ideas gathered in this consultation will culminate in the publication of a new charter for democratic reform. The charter will cover the crucial issues of trust in politics, the diversity of representatives, our electoral system, and the funding of political parties.

Jonathan Reynolds MP, writing for Labourlist, said: “These are difficult times for British politics. Trust in politics and politicians has been in freefall since the MPs expenses crisis, and shows no sign of slowing up. The Tories are attacking the foundations of our democracy with cuts to opposition funding, changes to the electoral register and gags on charities.

“To rise to this challenge, we must adopt a bold new agenda for democratic reform. Labour must set out how it will reform our elections, improve the diversity of our politicians, and start to rebuild trust.”