uk.environment

Reply to P Riddell
"Tories pick the right issue but wrong answer"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/peter_riddell/article2865819.ece

We should extend the scope of "citizens' initiative and referendum".
This would allow a large number of electors (varying with size of
political unit) to put forward a proposal to introduce, change or veto
a law or public policy. If council or government rejects the proposal,
then a referendum of the whole electorate may be enforced. Genuine
direct democracy, an electorate can select and decide upon public issues
in addition to electing politicians.

The scope of citizens' initiatives corresponds, or should do, with the
remit of council, parliament or government. So, where the power of local
councils includes taxation then the local electorate should be able to
intervene by proposing a referendum.

How powers are distributed between state (centre) and smaller political
units is a matter of public constitution. There is broad international
acceptance that matters of constitution, whether its creation or
amendment, should be subject to referendum. Recent proposals for more
localism (devolution of powers to local government) involve change in
constitution.

For the UK and its countries, our provisional recommendation is to
introduce the optional referendum (in Switzerland "facultative") for
matters of constitution.

Further information
http://www.iniref.org/