Referendums

The world of politics and history sometimes throws up by complete accident fascinating and revealing coincidences. So it proved on the 70th anniversary of Britain and France reluctantly declaring war on Nazi Germany after Hitler had taken the decision two days previously to unleash his war machine on Poland. On such a day laden with history the SNP administration fired the first official shots in the referendum on Scottish independence. Alex Salmond, First Minister, committed his administration to bring forward a bill to hold a referendum in the next year.

More than the date of September 3rd connects these two separate events for they tell us something profound about the nature of Britain, what it became, the state it is currently in and what fate awaits it in the near-future.

Catherine Reilly (Dublin, Metro Éireann): Who really runs 'democratic' countries, government officials or politicians? I have often wondered.

Last week, a long-time Irish politician raised that very question, in response to news reports in Ireland that there may be another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Tom Griffin (London, Green Ribbon): The Labour Party has suffered a fair amount of ridicule over its position on a Scottish independence referendum in recent days. Guido Fawkes is offering a prize to anyone who can explain the current policy in less than fifty words. More sober commentators don't sound much more impressed.

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): If like me you are in favour both of more democracy and of the European Union and that the EU should become more democratic, what argument is there against a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon except the fact that it might be lost? But wouldn't it be better for it to be lost and then to have it out on whether we are European or not, than to carry on in bad faith? The Lib-Dem argument that there should be a referendum on membership as such would be convincing if it would indeed lance the boil (better metaphor needed - it is much more fundamental than an abscess). But it wouldn't. The campaign for a referendum's local polls suggest that over 80 per cent of voters want a referendum including those like myself who would vote 'yes'. UK Polling Report's analysis is a bit grudging but it confirms that huge majorities of those polled would like to have a referendum. Of course it is not an issue of high salience at the top of peoples' concerns. Yet. But the growing repugnance with the way Westminster politics is conducted presses in. Politics can't be "renewed" and "trust restored", etc, if, when push comes to shove, voters are so blatantly not trusted. Like all great issues this is about more than it seems to be about.

Peter Facey (with Labour in Bournemouth, Unlock Democracy): Well, I have just attended my first fringe of Labour conference with our Foreign Secretary David Milliband and Lord Neil Kinnock to name a few, on Britain’s role in Europe, organised by the Labour Movement for Europe. It was a packed and lively meeting but there was something surreal about it.

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Peter Mandelson may have shed his external skin but the inner forked tongue remains the same. He has just told the BBC,

It is not for me to express a view on the UK's domestic decision about a referendum, but I note the British government says that this is not a treaty which requires one.

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): The Telegraph sponsored petition for a referendum on whether the UK should sign up to the new EU constitutional treaty is about to rise above the plimsoll line of 50,000 signatures, currently it is at 49,390. (Less than 17,000 of these are on-line which tells you something about the traditional nature of those supporting it, but give me a postal database above an e-one anytime). Meanwhile the petition in support of the Treaty and against a referendum, which I reported on just over a week ago as having 10 signatures has seen 20 per cent growth, and now has 12.

Caroline Morris (Wellington, Victoria University): New Zealand's introduction of direct democracy in the form of citizens' initiated referendums could have valuable lessons for politicians looking for cures for the problem of democratic disengagement in the UK. In a 1993 survey, when the direct democracy legislation was brought in, 63% of respondents agreed with the proposition that "People like me have no say" and 66% said that "Politicians don't care what people think". By 2005, these figures had fallen to 48% and 44% respectively.

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Conservative Party candidate for Richmond Zac Goldsmith can be watched on YouTube thanks to a middle-distance interview with him by UnlockDemocracy. You can see it via the link below. Towards the end he is asked, "What are the costs of involving the public in decision-making? Its a great answer,

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): The entertaining EU Referendum continues its good work reporting on the growing network of calls for a referendum on the new EU Treaty. They are also keeping an eye on the opposition and linking to pro-European Treaty arguments, not least a new 10 Downing Street petition in its favour,

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): As Gavin suggests, Brown is being sorely tempted to consider a quick, legitimacy-bestowing general election. He has the momentum and a lead that it is hard to imagine he'll retain in two years time with the strong possibility of an economic downturn and David Davis as Tory leader, parading the reality of his Territorial Army SAS training, tough working class background, and principled stand on liberties, against Brown's Scottish contrived Britishness. For it may well be that Davis after Cameron's rebranding will be a much better candidate than he would have been when the party was still 'old Tory'. But a quick election now may have a booby-trap built in: the EU referendum issue. See Guy's recent post on how this is building up steam. If Brown went to the voters this autumn before 18 Oct and won, he could claim a Sarkozy-like mandate to sign the treaty. But he'd have to campaign on it saying that it is a necessary continuity of our role in Europe and no great change. It's hard to say this with a straight face when no other leader in Europe agrees. If Brown holds an election in the Spring after 18 October, when he and other EU heads of government have met to ratify the treaty, it still hands the Conservatives a great issue: "You say you are for democracy, Prime Minister, but you have gone back on your word about giving us a say over the EU". Brown badly needs a positive policy on Europe. There is no sign of this.

Guy Aitchison (Bristol, OK): Pressure is mounting on Gordon Brown as calls for a referendum on the EU treaty grow louder. Senior Conservatives have been reported as saying that the party will make a referendum on the treaty a key general election issue - if Brown decides to call a snap poll in October or next May. This comes on the back of the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel, confirming that the old and revised texts were "as close as possible to each other". Open Europe, based on their own translation (the current official version is at the moment in French only), claim that the Treaty retains 96% of the proposed constitution. William Hague has even suggested that the Tories could back a privately funded referendum.

Michael Macpherson (London, I&R ~ GB): In his speech presenting his Green Paper on his reforms to parliament, the Prime Minister said,

"While our system of representative democracy - local as well as national - is at the heart of our constitution, it can be enhanced by devolving more power directly to the people and I propose we start the debate and consult on empowering citizens and communities in four areas. First, powers of initiative, extending the right of the British people to intervene with their elected local representatives to ensure action..."

Peter Facey (London, Unlock Democracy): Jon Bright’s remarks (below) reflect one of the greatest challenges democratic reform in Britain faces: the “if we give them more power they may …” argument. It does not just apply to referendums but to any move to decentralize power in our country. And it shows why the government has tended to devolve power to do specific things, rather than give people and communities general tools or powers that they can use for their own ends.

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): I have just been sent a thoughtful warning for me not to answer my front door: “the new Prime Minister has sounded the death knell for the controversial Barnett formula”. Then I breathed again, it’s from the Scotland on Sunday and it refers to (no-relation) Joel Barnett’s historic arrangements for giving Scotland a fair deal, which has now created an alleged subsidy that is stoking English fury. It will suit Brown well with Daily Mail readers to treat the whole of the UK the same way financially. Alex Salmond says it is "just a euphemism for slashing Scottish spending" but after the pictures of Salmond next to the Queen waving to the crowds one can imagine Brown’s desire to wipe the smile of the face of the SNP leader. So now it's leaving us, what is the Barnett formula? And what is so wrong with it?

Jon Bright (London, OK): A lot is being written about devolving power, local democracy, and citizen's referendums. As blogged in these pages, Islington council recently balloted its residents on a "green parking" scheme, linking the cost of on-street parking to the fuel efficiency of cars. On Tuesday they announced the results: 56% voting yes in a 28.8% turnout (36,000 out of 127,500).

Michael Macpherson (London, I&R ~ GB): Judith Herrin writes: "just read Zac Goldsmith's report of the anger in Barnes and his hopes that local referendums can reinvigorate local democracy when what should pop through the door but an invitation to vote - and decide - on a policy in Islington."

Guy Aitchison (London, OK): This week the Sun launched a blistering campaign ahead of Blair's meeting with EU leaders on Thursday 21 June. Faced with the prospect of a "draconian new superstate" the paper is rallying Britons to their country's defence. The picture it paints is of the plucky, embattled isle of the opening credits to "Dad's Army". "Who" do Merkel and her "sweaty" band of Brussels bureaucrats "think they are kidding?" asks the Sun (why "sweaty"?). Pictures of military heroes Churchill and Nelson appear alongside the Queen, fish and chips and beer in a parade of Britishness in which the Sun is modest enough to include itself. Each of these symbols is given official patriotic approval by the Sun, stamped with the words "Made in Britain" plus a Union Jack. There follows a list of claims about what the proposed treaty will do (the Sun particularly objects to the charter of human rights being part of any new treaty). Some claims are factual and accurate, but others are wild and unsubstantiated, what a-brave-Blair might criticise as mixing "views" with "news". The message is clear: the EU treaty is the latest in a long line of French and German attempts to conquer Britain. But the Sun has seen through it and "caught out" Merkel. That is why it will mobilise its "army of readers" to stop this "surrender" to Brussels. Since Blair has "RULED OUT" giving the people a say on the treaty in a referendum the Sun will do so instead! It offers readers their democratic right to decide by phoning in and answering "No" to "Should Tony Blair support the new EU treaty?". As it appears under the screaming headline "7 DAYS TO SAVE BRITAIN" the vote's outcome could be described as a 'fait accompli' if it wasn't treason to use a French expression.

Judith Herrin (London): I’d just read Zac Goldsmith’s report of the anger in Barnes and his hopes that local referendums can reinvigorate local democracy when what should pop through the door but an invitation to vote – and decide - on a policy in Islington. We all got personal letters asking us to vote in a “Green Parking Referendum” on the cost of on-street parking. We already have a higher charge of £95 a year for on-street parking of larger cars and £75 for compacts. The proposal is to differentiate charges even more, for example a Toyota Prius will pay £40 less, a Fiat Punto £20 less, while a Ford Mondeo will pay £65 more, and a Landrover or Audi £105 more than they are currently paying. The notice included a coloured brochure with arguments for and against and the website with guidance and details of the proposed charges (you can even vote on-line). The Council free sheet, ‘Islington Now’ followed, announcing “Power to the People!”. “Make sure you have your say”, it urged, “your vote will decide”. On our street there is a good mixture of cars from 4 x 4s to many compacts. How will we vote? Will we know if concern about the necessity of reducing carbon emissions has any effect at this personal level? There is no promise to publish a breakdown of the votes by street or even ward. But at least everyone, car owners, bikers and pedestrians, is invited to take part. I am sure it must be a good idea, I intend to vote.

Guy Aitchison (London, OK) The decision made by Zac Goldsmith’s community in Barnes (covered by Zac here in OK), to hold a referendum on the building of a Sainsbury’s in their area, is a novel response to the problem of what seem to be undemocratic planning decisions. The White Hart Action Group are leading the campaign to oppose Sainsbury’s and charting its progress on their website. They hope that the, “pendulum is swinging away from bullying multinational companies who tread all over small communities’ sensibilities and towards those who will respect them”. The group are one amongst a growing number of local initiatives using the web to create a new form for democratic politics. Tescopoly is a platform for resistance to unpopular planning decisions, it describes itself as "an alliance of organisations concerned with the negative impact of supermarket power" and aims to provide resources for local people to share their experience and swap best practices. Local websites with a wider purpose are starting up, like TalkSwindon, which Geoff Reid began after he got "quite irritated with one of Swindon's two MP's who was, and still does, display an arrogantly dismissive attitude towards her constituents". The question is still whether these initiatives will last. Meanwhile the Initiatives and Referendums group (moniker I&RGB) is trying to find out how many local referendums are or have been held.