ERS spokespeople comment on citizens’ assemblies and constitutional uncertainty

• Contact details: For bids/information, contact Jon Narcross, Communication Officer 07794728820, mediaoffice@electoral-reform.org.uk
• Spokespeople at the Electoral Reform Society: Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. Dr Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research

Electoral Reform Society spokespeople are available for comment/information on citizens’ assemblies and Britain’s constitutional tumult.

Citizens Assemblies are once again in the public eye having been debated in the Conservative Leadership election [1] and with new government plans for one in Scotland [2].

The ERS have helped run citizens’ assemblies over issues such as Brexit and devolution, and recently published a report on moving beyond the ‘Westminster model’ of politics [3], backing a more ‘deliberative’ model of democracy – including expanding the use of citizens assemblies.

Spokespeople are also available for comment on wider constitutional issues, including the democratic implications of the current Conservative leadership election [4].

The ERS recently published new proposals for a fresh model for local democracy in Scotland, featuring permanent citizens’ assemblies to feed into local decision-making [5].

Read the ERS’ latest briefing on Citizens Assemblies: https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/parliamentary-briefings/a-quick-guide-to-citizens-assemblies/

Read Darren Hughes’ piece on politics.co.uk on the constitutional questions posed by the Conservative leadership election: https://politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/06/17/pm-without-a-mandate-tory-leadership-fight-reveals-a-broken

ENDS

Notes to editors

[1] https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tory-rory-stewart-plans-ring-16526011

[2] https://www.thenational.scot/news/17595524.ordinary-scots-to-be-tasked-with-looking-at-their-countrys-future/

[3] https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/media-centre/press-releases/beyond-brexit-report-calls-for-end-to-westminster-model-of-governance-to-renew-faith-in-politics/

[4] See Darren Hughes’ piece in The Times today https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-a-directly-elected-pm-could-trigger-a-constitutional-crisis-trq8pmxd8

[5]  https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/scotland-needs-new-institutions-to-transform-our-local-communities/