After Scotland Decides: Build Citizen-Centred Democracy Throughout Britain

The authors call for a comprehensive overhaul of the UK's constitutional and democratic framework to address a 'crisis of democracy' characterized by voter disillusionment and inadequate representation. Proposed reforms include the adoption of proportional representation for both houses of parliament and local elections, the creation of a written constitution with a citizens bill of rights, and the establishment of directly-elected regional assemblies. The text emphasizes the need to protect local governments from corporate influence and opposes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the grounds that it would undermine local democratic decision-making and public services.

• The authors argue that the UK faces a 'crisis of democracy' evidenced by declining voter turnout and a 'disenfranchised, disillusioned underclass', citing a specific democratic deficit in Hackney where 22 percent of voters chose Green in May elections without securing a single councillor.
• The proposed democratic compact includes electoral reform through proportional representation for Westminster and local government, the replacement of the House of Lords with a reformed Second Chamber (potentially a 'Senate of the Regions'), and the introduction of a written constitution featuring a citizens bill of rights.
• The document advocates for increased regional autonomy via directly-elected regional assemblies and the empowerment of local governments to legally protect local resources and environment from 'corporate and other forms of financial or political bullying'.
• The authors specifically oppose the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and US, claiming it would grant multinational corporations power to override public services, the environment, and local democratic agencies.

APA

Read, R. J. R. (2014). After Scotland Decides: Build Citizen-Centred Democracy Throughout Britain. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/after-scotland-decides-build-citizen-centred-democracy-throughout-britain/

Chicago

Read, Rebecca Johnson, Rupert. After Scotland Decides: Build Citizen-Centred Democracy Throughout Britain. Green European Journal, 2014. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/after-scotland-decides-build-citizen-centred-democracy-throughout-britain/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Read |first1=Rebecca Johnson, Rupert |title=After Scotland Decides: Build Citizen-Centred Democracy Throughout Britain |publisher=Green European Journal |date=17 December 2014 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/after-scotland-decides-build-citizen-centred-democracy-throughout-britain/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{read2014after, author = {Read, Rebecca Johnson, Rupert}, title = {{After Scotland Decides: Build Citizen-Centred Democracy Throughout Britain}}, publisher = {Green European Journal}, year = {2014}, month = dec, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/after-scotland-decides-build-citizen-centred-democracy-throughout-britain/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }