Our BANES, We Decide campaign for a Better Democracy for BANES

We propose the reform of Bath’s political institutions in a moment of national crisis to achieve sustainable citizen participation and deepen our democracy.

We believe the first past the post voting system to lead to unacceptably unrepresentative outcomes, stifling pluralism and diminishing democracy. We believe this to be an oppressive institution that undermines sustained citizen participation. We therefore propose that local elections be conducted by Single Transferable Vote in a Proportionally Representative system. This will make each vote count, allow each voice to be heard and help us create the culture of civic participation necessary to combat ever rising public disillusionment with politics.

16 year olds are allowed to die for this country and pay taxes for its upkeep. It is only democratic that they have a say in how this money is spent, only fair that they help decide for what they fight, only just that they enjoy the rights of citizens as well as the responsibilities. As such we also propose that the voting age be reduced to 16 to enable BANES's youth to fully participate in public life. This will increase the legitimacy of public institutions while enabling young people to become citizens in act as well as education during their formative years.

The expenses scandal has revealed the depths to which politicians represent themselves before the needs of their constituents. As such finally we propose the introduction of a recall mechanism initiated by the constituents, enabling voters to punish not only transgression, but incompetence and misrepresentation. This would in a real sense return power to the people and will restore faith in local democracy.

All these proposed changes would only be implemented with approval in a BANES wide referendum.