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About Simon Burall

Simon Burall is director of Involve, an organisation that designs and promotes processes for public participation in government. 

Articles by Simon Burall

Saturday 22nd October

E-petitions aren't enough - Britain should learn from the 'Oregon model' of citizen juries

Janice Thomson and Simon Burall, 22 October 2011
For the first time in Britain, the public has used e-petitions to successfully push for Parliamentary debates - but we could go much further. We need only take some lessons from across the Atlantic, where Oregon has set up citizen juries and embedded direct democracy at the heart of government.
Thursday 22nd September

Local government's 'duty to involve' the English is being scrapped

Simon Burall, 22 September 2011
Today, local authorities in England have a 'duty to involve' citizens in decision-making. Soon this will be scrapped, leaving only the 'duty to consult'. What is the difference, and what does this mean for English democracy?
Wednesday 22nd September

How does local government join the Big Society?

Simon Burall, 22 September 2010
The government has been very clear in its vision that a smaller state is needed to liberate society. But how should local government adapt in order to interact with the Big Society?
Monday 6th September

MyAid or WhyAid?

Simon Burall, 6 September 2010
A new UK government proposal to allow the public to determine how development aid is spent has come under heavy criticism, but if implemented correctly MyAid could harness the knowledge of citizens and help build support for rising aid budgets.
Thursday 12th August

When "local" can’t happen locally

Simon Burall, 12 August 2010
Central government has a critical and active role to play if Prime Minister David Cameron's "Big Society" idea is to be successful in the UK.
Monday 23rd January

In whose name? Democracy and British foreign policy

Stuart Weir and Simon Burall, 23 January 2006
Britain's centralised way of doing foreign policy lacks proper oversight and accountability, according to a new collaborative report. Simon Burall & Stuart Weir propose ways to redress a key "democratic deficit".
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