Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park, prospective Conservative candidate): The widespread political distrust and apathy felt in Britain stems from a system that gives people far too little control over decisions that affect their lives. An astoundingly undemocratic planning decision made recently in my local community of Barnes perfectly illustrates this problem, and points towards a possible solution. An unelected planning inspector was able to overturn Richmond Council’s well-reasoned decision to refuse Sainsbury’s permission to build a new supermarket in the centre of our community; one which is well served by an effective network of local shops. There is a strong sense of locality in Barnes and people understood that its character is threatened. A protest meeting was swiftly convened. It was packed. At the meeting (as I reported in the Daily Telegraph) I suggested that we follow the Swiss example and hold a local referendum on the issue. In Switzerland if enough citizens sign a petition within an allotted period of time, then a referendum is called, and the local authorities abide by the result. It’s a system that forces local decision-making out into the open and gives people direct control over the outcome. I’m convinced that it would go a long way towards restoring people’s faith in politics. The impartial and experienced Electoral Reform Society will oversee the referendum initiative, and although it won’t be legally binding, if successful, I hope it will persuade Sainsbury’s to change their plans. David Cameron is considering introducing something like the Swiss system, but unfortunately, for the present, we are still a long way off from this kind of direct democracy. Hopefully the Barnes referendum will inspire communities around the country to follow its example - to use democracy to assert the rights of ordinary people against over-mighty corporations, unaccountable quangos and unelected bureaucrats. Let the revolution begin.
Moderator: For a vigorous discussion on the Swiss constitution take a look at the 7 comments on 'No Crisis today thank you''.
