Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy in the UK

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Recent years have raised fundamental questions about the operation of democracy in the UK. Polarisation is high and many citizens feel detached from politics. The ethical standards of those in public life have been called into question. Governing and opposition parties throughout the UK have pledged to review the system’s operation. But how do ordinary citizens want democracy in the UK to work?

This seminar follows the launch on 7 April of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy in the UK – the second report of the Unit’s Democracy in the UK after Brexit research project. Following six weekends of deliberation last year, the Assembly agreed 8 resolutions and 51 recommendations, proposing many changes to how our democracy works. In the seminar, the key conclusions will be presented and discussed with leading experts and some of the Assembly’s members.

Speakers:

Professor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit and Project Lead

Kaela Scott, Director of Innovation and Practice at Involve and Design and Facilitation Lead for the Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy in the UK

Professor Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Union and Labour Law, University of Cambridge

Frances Foley, Deputy Director of Compass

Members from the Citizens’ Assembly

Chair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit

Useful links:

• Democracy in the UK after Brexit project web pages

• Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy in the UK web pages