Unlock Democracy, a national campaign which promotes democracy, rights and freedom, invited the Independent Network to attend its ‘Empowering People’ event.

Oliver Letwin MP kicked off the day with a speech about the Coalition’s vision of citizenship.  In his opinion the Big Society will deliver the support needed to transition our local areas from individualism and mistrust to involved communities.

Many of the groups at the event were part of the third sector and Oliver Letwin MP faced questions about how the third sector, who already consider themselves as a healthy part of a big society, will cope with the demand to provide services that have now been cut from the public sector.

In the late morning Tamsin Omond, National Coordinator for the Independent Network convened a workshops to share experiences of developing the confidence, experience, knowledge and skills of the Independent Network.  Discussion focussed on methods to help local people influence their local democracy.  There was much support for the representative politics offered by Independents.

A networking lunch was provided where the Independent Network made contact with Novas Scarman, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, the London Civic Forum, Concrete Solutions, Operation Black Vote and the Media Trust.

In the afternoon the workshops focused on how the various civil society groups in attendance might best explore ways in which we can work together to strengthen effective citizenship at a local level. Unsurprisingly the Independent Network table spoke a lot about whether party politics is representative or accessible to those wishing to engage more in civil society.

Tamsin Omond, National Coordinator for the Independent Network, said:

“We made the point – at least twice – that only 1.3% of the population belong to political parties.  We made a good case for the fact that if more local people stood for local government, championing independence and local issues then more people would be inspired to get involved in their local democracy.”

The closing plenary was led by Paul Twivvy, CEO of the Big Society Network, who was confronted with many of the questions that Oliver Letwin MP had successfully not answered.  Paul Twivvy defended the idea of the Big Society and many in the room agreed with him, however there were many questions about how workable such an initiative would be in the context of massive public sector cuts.

Unlock Democracy argues and campaigns for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people.They seek a democratic participative process resulting in a written constitution that serves and protects the people. That constitution would define the roles of, and relationships between, the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. It would determine how, and to what extent, power is shared between representatives at local, national and United Kingdom levels, and with international organisations. It would enshrine basic liberties and human rights for all.