The first of two pilot ‘Citizens’ Assemblies’ takes place in Southampton this weekend, as part of a pioneering project to debate Britain’s constitutional future, with the University of Southampton playing a leading role.
Academics and civil society organisations are bringing together citizens and politicians for the Citizens’ Assemblies in Southampton (24 / 25 October and 14 / 15 November). A further two are being held in Sheffield. One third of the 45 participants in the South will be politicians and the remainder non-politicians.
The Assemblies in the South provide an important opportunity for people to help shape the future of the Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight region. This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded initiative is led by a project team of academics from the universities of Southampton and Sheffield and University College London, with the Electoral Reform Society.
People in the Solent region can have their say on what their local democracy should look like by finding out more here and making contributions online here.
Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Will Jennings comments:
“Our Citizens’ Assemblies will put the voice of local people at the forefront of discussions about how we are governed. This represents an important opportunity for people to shape the debates about the future of the Solent region and how decision-making is conducted.
Some residents believe that shifting more power to the local level will deliver public services more effectively and use public funds more efficiently. Others are concerned about adding extra layers of administration – it is these kinds of issues which the assemblies will allow people to debate.”
You can find out more on the Citizen’s Assembly website.