Tuesday will see the launch in Cardiff of Newid, ‘change’ in Welsh, the world’s first popular movement for demarchy, a form of democracy that does away with professional politicians, political parties and elections.
In a demarchy, decisions are made by an assembly of ordinary citizens selected at random, like a jury, instead of by elected politicians or unelected bureaucrats. The selection method, known as ‘sortition’ or ‘lot’, is weighted to select a representative sample of the populace and to ensure that every able adult has an equal opportunity to participate. Service is compulsory for those selected and typically lasts for three months.
Decisions in the citizen’s assembly are reached through deliberation once advocates have presented the case both for and against. An independent civil service and judiciary guide the process with a professional executive appointed by the assembly to carry out policy and manage public services.
Newid’s founder, Martin Wilding Davies, maintains that demarchy will preserve the benefits associated with democracy while eliminating the problems inherent in the current political system.
“Demarchy is a recipe for stripped-down government, free of corruption, political expediency and service to vested interests. It is straightforward, efficient and cost-effective; far more in keeping with Welsh Nonconformist traditions that the system of government we have now.”
“The old-fashioned way politics is structured and conducted in Britain has not kept pace with the needs of society and the values, interests, expectations and lifestyles of ordinary people. They’ve had enough. They’re ready to change the system for one that better suits their needs.”
Wilding Davies sites the low turnout in recent elections as evidence that the system needs to change, “Elections are not representative or legitimate in Wales because the majority of the electorate don’t vote. You’ll hear the term ‘political apathy’ bandied about but actually it’s a myth. People are far from apathetic about politics. They talk about politics at home or at work or down the pub and they certainly feel very strongly about politicians. It’s just that they either don’t believe voting will make a difference to their lives or don’t like the choices they’re being offered.”
“People are worried about their jobs. They want security for their families and a better future for their children. They don’t want government ministers meddling in every aspect of their lives and they don’t want commercial interests placed before their own in return for political donations. They’d be far better off making the decisions for themselves.”
“Politicians are adept at presentation and argument. They’re no more qualified to make decisions about people’s lives than the people themselves. Politicians are not qualified to run departments of state.”
“I’m not going to say that all politicians are bad though, of course they’re not. But politicians live in a world far removed from the day-to-day reality of ordinary people. The system corrupts them. It forces them to put their interests and those of their party ahead of those of their constituents. What’s needed now is a system that puts people first.”
Barring a revolution, the only way to change the system is to win an election. So at midnight tonight, Newid will launch an election campaign with its slogan ‘Newid means change’ appearing overnight in towns and cities all over Wales. But Newid is not contesting the forthcoming general election. It is planning to field candidates in every constituency for the Welsh Assembly elections in 2011 and right now it’s making up for lost time.
Newid’s strategy is to win control of the Senedd and then hold a referendum on a written constitution setting out the rights and responsibilities of all Welsh citizens. This will include replacing the existing assembly with a demarchic citizen’s assembly. Then, having concluded a settlement with Westminster, Newid will throw a big party and disband.
Wilding Davies adds, “There is nothing we could gain from fighting the general election. The problems that Wales faces will not be solved in Westminster. They never have been before. And after ten years of devolved government the Welsh economy is almost moribund. None of us has any interest in becoming professional politicians. We only want power to put it in the hands of the people. Only then will things start to be fixed.”
