Today many Britons feel disenfranchised by the political system – Muslims are no exception. Muslims have a responsibility, as citizens, to fully participate in civic life including democratic politics.
To this end, the Muslim Council of Britain has joined the POWER2010 Campaign to renew trust in politics through democratic reforms. The MCB is championing the following four ideas that have emerged from the campaign:
1.Giving more decision making and taxation powers to local government
• We have a strong civic ethic and believe in community responsibility.
• Local government today has as much, if not greater, a disconnect than national government
• 80% of local government funding and policies are today are essentially determined in Whitehall
• Central government must devolve power to a local level for communities to be empowered.
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2. Choosing the Mayors of population centres by direct election
• Stronger local government needs leadership that is accountable to the whole electorate, not a handful of party councilors.
• Elected Mayors, especially in London, have had a transformational effect in increasing public engagement in local politics.
• Elected Mayors owe their primary allegiance to voters, not party; provide an opportunity for independent leaders in the community to step up and serve.
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3. Requiring political parties to practice more internal democracy
• Political party membership is at an all time low; our parties need to be made fit for purpose again.
• In particular, we want to see open primaries so candidates win their party nominations from a much broader base; in many constituencies today only 20 or so local party members choose the candidate for one of the main parties
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4. Allowing a special referendum on whether to remove an MP from office if enough of his or her constituents request it AND holding a fresh election to choose a new MP
• As voters we must have, in extreme cases the ability to 'sack' our MP if they have let us down.
• MPs will have an additional incentive to work hard and maintain their integrity if they know voters have the ultimate sanction.
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The MCB is encouraging the Muslim community to vote for these four reforms at www.power2010.org.uk by 22 February.
The four ideas are currently open to the public vote among twenty five others as POWER2010 discovers the people's priorities for democratic renewal. On February 22nd the vote will close and the top ideas will be put forward as pledge to parliamentary candidates and political parties in the general election campaign.
Q&A
What is POWER 2010?
• Power 2010 is a civic campaign aiming to renew trust in politics through democratic reforms.
• Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and supported by a wide range of individuals and organisations.
• Power 2010 grew out of the Power Inquiry, established by the Rowntree Trusts in 2005.
What does this specific campaign aim to achieve?
• Identify 5 key political reforms to make up the POWER 2010 Pledge.
• Aim is for as many people as possible to sign the Pledge and then lobby their candidates and parties in the general election campaign.
• Out of over four thousand ideas for reform submitted by the public 29 have been shortlisted.
• It's up to the Public to vote for the top 5 reforms on www.power2010.org.uk by 22 February
Why is MCB involved in this campaign?
• The Muslim Council of Britain articulates the view of a large number of its affiliates who believe that Muslims have a responsibility, as citizens, to fully participate in civic life including democratic politics.
• The MCB believed that cross-community engagement is essential to ensure effective reform. To that end, the MCB will work with a range of civic and faith bodies ahead of the next general election.
Why did MCB pick these ideas?
• Broad appeal: This campaign is for all citizens not just Muslims.
• Civic responsibility: As Muslims we believe in strong communities and participatory citizenship; We favour reforms that empower at a local level.
• Breaking the party disconnect: Muslims share the wider public frustration with political parties; we favour reforms that will open them up.
For further details on Power2010 please email george@power2010.org.uk |
