Comments on: Democracy is alive and kicking: arguments that it isn’t are themselves anti-democratic http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/07/democracy-is-alive-and-kicking-arguments-that-it-isnt-are-themselves-anti-democratic/ Policy news and comment from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:54:53 +0000 hourly 1 By: Charlie Marks http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/07/democracy-is-alive-and-kicking-arguments-that-it-isnt-are-themselves-anti-democratic/comment-page-1/#comment-2706 Charlie Marks Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:34:00 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=3138#comment-2706 We need more opportunities for people to express their opinion in a formal manner - and for it to matter. Consider the recent plan to part-privatise Royal Mail in defiance of the manifesto on whcih the Labour party stood for election. A hugely unpopular policy with the general public, as well as the grassroots of the labour movement, and very difficult to oppose. In Hungary last year there was a referendum on the government's controversial plans to introduce service charges in the public health and education systems. The vote was triggered by a petition, a "citizen's initiative" as the country's constitution allows, and the result was a defeat for the government. Our movement has traditionally led the battle for democracy, and this must continue. We should raise the demand for the citizen's initiative to become a part of our constitution. We need more opportunities for people to express their opinion in a formal manner – and for it to matter. Consider the recent plan to part-privatise Royal Mail in defiance of the manifesto on whcih the Labour party stood for election. A hugely unpopular policy with the general public, as well as the grassroots of the labour movement, and very difficult to oppose.

In Hungary last year there was a referendum on the government’s controversial plans to introduce service charges in the public health and education systems. The vote was triggered by a petition, a “citizen’s initiative” as the country’s constitution allows, and the result was a defeat for the government.

Our movement has traditionally led the battle for democracy, and this must continue. We should raise the demand for the citizen’s initiative to become a part of our constitution.

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