“The oldest democracy is now an obsolete model long overdue for replacement.”
90% of electors want political reform. But how to escape the mess? Britain should adopt a federal structure with a written constitution and an elected apolitical People's Council replacing autocratic and ineffective bodies.
Growing concern about the relative economic deterioration of the United Kingdom led to realisation that the system of political governance is probably an unrecognised cause of British decline. Events over the last few years have provided a fertile supply of examples. All that was needed was some original thought, but nobody seemed to be facing facts.
At the centre of these ideas lie four major concepts:
1. The People's Council to replace the Privy Council, House of Lords, and some scrutiny functions of the present House of Commons
2. A federal structure, with sovereignty defined as sovereignty of the people of each nation instead of the Crown in parliament.
3. Representation in United Kingdom-wide bodies to be determined according to the Fibonacci series, so that England can be outvoted by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined, thereby preventing England treating the other nations as colonies.
4. The book includes a draft written constitution.
By:
David Kauders
Imprint: Sparkling Books Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 14mm
ISBN: 9781907230202
ISBN 10: 1907230203
Publication Date: 28 May 2024
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Preface Summary of principal concepts 1 A country that has lost its way Uncomfortable truths Britain and Europe What rights do you have? What does the future hold? 2 Major UK policy failures The seven major mistakes The cumulative effect of policy failures Measures of living standards Privatisation The UK retail energy market Water Rail 3 The case for constitutional change What makes a society successful? The dead end of political evolution The road to British serfdom Other failures Closing ranks against the truth The democratic deficit Federal systems of governance Direct democracy Broader economic issues Overseas territories Linking the issues 4 Outline of a solution Learning from the gross mistake Sovereignty Compete, compromise, cooperate, consult The numerical dominance of England Central or local? Who pays the piper? International agreements Artificial intelligence and the tech industries What else? 5 The People’s Council Functions of the People’s Council Organisations forming the British state Truthfulness Requests for referendums Listening to the people Assent to legislation Ombudspersons The facts hub Referrals to the Constitutional Court Legislative mandates and venues The People's Assent Choosing and refreshing the People’s Council 1 The regulated group 2 The general group 3 The sortition group Leadership, building expertise, team work 6 The new governments Levels of governance and oversight United Kingdom responsibilities England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Overseas territories Regions The need for change Revenue and borrowing United Kingdom government revenue Revenues of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Revenue sources for the regions Government borrowing User fees Wealth taxes Pensions, health care costs and social security Other changes that are needed 7 How change could be achieved England Scotland and Wales Northern Ireland Interpretation of preliminary results Adopting the new constitution Timeline 8 First draft constitution of the United Kingdom Notes The draft constitution Overseas territories of the United Kingdom Citizens The state and the citizen The law Social objectives Relations between the arms of government; financial equalisation; legal relations Foreign affairs Military, security, police, emergency services Culture, education, religion, charters Essential services and infrastructure Government accounts; the national debt; taxation Health care Business, the economy, common regulation and standards Pensions and benefits Elections to parliaments and local authorities Legislation Ombudspersons The People’s Council Membership of the People’s Council Honours Entry into force Changes to this Constitution Further transitional provisions The Constitutional Court Appendix A: The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Appendix B: Rights References
David Kauders FRSA was educated at Latymer Upper School, Jesus College Cambridge and Cranfield School of Management. He is an investment manager and author.
Reviews for Reinventing Democracy: Improving British political governance
"“Kauders’ call for a written constitution and a federal association is not just relevant to the United Kingdom but holds lessons for any nation grappling with democratic challenges. Reinventing Democracy is an important catalyst for discussion and a rallying cry for a more accountable and responsive political system.” - London Economic ""A compelling and clear pathway out of Britain’s failing political morass towards a brighter, truly democratic future.” - The European"
