INVITE: Citizens’ Assemblies and local democracy on the agenda at SNP Conference fringes (28th April)

• For more information and to RSVP, contact Jon Narcross, Communication Officer, Electoral Reform Society –narcross@electoral-reform.org.uk / 07794728820.
• ERS Scotland spokespeople are available for comment/information on citizens’ assemblies. The ERS have helped lead citizens’ assemblies over issues such as Brexit and devolution.

Electoral Reform Society Scotland will be leading the SNP conference debate on Citizens’ Assemblies, following the announcement on Wednesday that the Scottish government plans to hold one in advance of a fresh independence referendum [1].

On Sunday 28 April between 9.00am and 10.00am ERS Scotland will host ‘Citizens Assemblies – Tackling Constitutional Change’ in the Ochil Room, Level +1, EICC on the role of innovative democratic processes in tackling the questions of Scottish constitutional change.

Joining us to discuss how citizens assemblies could be used help create the vision for an independent Scotland are:

• Joanna Cherry QC MP, SNP Spokesperson for Justice and Home Affairs
• Dr Oliver Escobar, What Works Scotland
• Lesley Riddoch, Journalist and Campaigner
• Willie Sullivan, Director of Electoral Reform Society Scotland
• The panel will be chaired by Chris Hanlon, Elected Member of SNP National Council.

Event page:

https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/join-the-movement/events/citizen-assemblies-tackling-constitutional-change/

Overhauling local government

On Sunday 28 April between 12.45pm and 1:45pm ERS Scotland will be partnering with the Our Democracy and Common Weal to host Local Democracy: How can we get Real Power to Communities – a conversation on radical ways to organise Scotland’s Local Government.

Joining us to discuss how the SNP should respond to these challenges are:

• Cllr Laura Brennan-Whitefield, South Ayrshire Council
• Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government
• Robin McAlpine, Common Weal
• Lesley Riddoch, Journalist and Campaigner
• The panel will be chaired by Willie Sullivan, Director of Electoral Reform Society Scotland

Event page:

https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/join-the-movement/events/local-democracy-how-can-we-get-real-power-to-communities/

For more information or to RSVP, contact Jon Narcross, Communication Officer, Electoral Reform Society – jon.narcross@electoral-reform.org.uk / 07794728820

ENDS

Notes to Editors

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