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).
It wouldn't have been politics without some controversy. Emily Thornberry (MP for the area) publicly ripped up her ballot in protest against the fact that the scheme would not apply to council estates. Michael Macpherson of I & R ~ GB criticised the fact that the referendum was initiated by the council rather than by citizens themselves. But Peter Facey of Unlock Democracy welcomed the result, saying it would "hopefully encourage other councils to try similar experiments".
Councillor James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, called the result "groundbreaking", saying: "We're the first council to ask people if they're up for meeting the challenge of climate change - the answer is yes. It shows that people are ready to make big changes to their lifestyle to tackle climate change". That's one opinion. For me it shows that only a little over 16% of the residents of Islington were "up" for anything at all. And this, while it appeared to be a tax on costly 'gas guzzlers' turns out in fact to be a small subsidy for those able to afford a Toyota Prius (at least £17,000 to you and me). Hardly a "big change".
Furthermore, it's an example of how a council with a populist agenda can score easy points by bashing a minority group (in this case owners of "Chelsea Tractors"). If and when more powers are devolved to local councils, how long before referendums on banning hooded tops, enforcing English lessons for immigrants or curfewing drug users start to crop up? (If you think that's being ridiculous, reflect on how many BNP candidates stand at each local election). Power to the people, fine, but don't forget that lots of populist, low turnout referendums could have an ugly side.
Comments
Michael Macpherson I&Rgb: Jon Bright wrote: "If and when more powers are devolved to local councils, how long before referendums on banning hooded tops, enforcing English lessons for immigrants or curfewing drug users start to crop up? (If you think that’s being ridiculous, reflect on how many BNP candidates stand at each local election). Power to the people, fine, but don’t forget that lots of populist, low turnout referendums could have an ugly side."
Our campaign has been promoting citizens' direct democracy, such as the law-proposal (initiative) and referendum, for over ten years. A common objection is that, say in Watford or Bradford, laws will be passed which drastically limit or remove basic rights, for instance that cruel punishments will be introduced. However, members of a local electorate acting through initiative and referendum are restricted to those issues which lie within the competence of the local council. Although we have no state Constitution, there are laws which distribute power between central and local government. Issues seriously affecting basic rights are presumably *not* within the remit of local councils. So "populist", "ugly" referenda (Shorter OED) would not be admissable. Can someone clarify the legal and constitutional conditions here?
As an Islington resident I thought the referendum was a great idea. It's a pity that Emily Thornberry - who has previously called for pro-green measures nationally - got into a partisan tiff with the Lib Dem council and ripped up her ballot paper. She's lost points with me. I don't see the referendum as 'bashing a minority group'. It's about using financial incentives to reward people for making greener choices. It's ridiculous to say only Prius owners (including Ms Thornberry!) will benefit. And the point about estates is a huge distraction. Most Islington residents don't have cars. Of those who do, most, including council tenants, park on the street. Offstreet parking is not covered by the permit scheme whether on council estates or private estates because they have reserved places & garages so the permit is for the space not the car. Emily Thornberry knows this of course - she just can't bear to agree with the Council on anything. Party political spats apart, as an exercise in democracy and tackling climate change through choice & incentives not constraint, I think the Islington ballot was a good thing.
Yes, I agree that the populist may rear an ugly side but what is wrong with enforcing English lessons on immigrants or curfewing drug users?
If the immigrants spoke English there might be more integration and if the drug users are curfewed we may not see dealing on the street (let's face it there's no room in the prisons for the dealers).
Zac Goldsmith's recent referendum on the local Sainsburys was an excellent way to involve local opinion. Over the past 10 years our local planners have been emasculated by central government and unelected regional quangos. Local referenda are a way to resolve contentious planning issues. But a caveat - Zac's referendum was paid for by locally raised money and not the taxpayer whereas in Islington I bet it was the poor old council tax payer.
Devolved power will attract a higher calibre of councillor and local democracy will involve the citizen because people do care what is being done in the immediate area but too many feel powerless against big government and big business.
Let's see whether G. Brown will go against his control freakery tendencies and allow real democracy, we'll see, but don't hold your breath.
I'm not clear what the problem is with the 'poor old taxpayer' having to pay for the odd referendum. Surely it is better than us only being permitted referendums if a dilettante happens to think it is worth holding. In Scotland of course they had this experience on a larger scale with Brian Souter forking out for a referendum over Section 28. Surely you aren't suggesting that only the rich should be able to pick and choose what issues we are allowed to have a say on?
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