An afternoon of creativity, conversation and engagement reflecting on the issue of democracy and power
DEMOCRACY AT A LOCAL level faces an unprecedented challenge. The impact of massive cuts in local government budgets, and the increasing removal of control over key services raise fundamental questions about nature and role of local government. However local government is beginning to change. New models of local governance are emerging at home and abroad. Ideas that could help transform the way a city like Brighton & Hove might be governed in the future.
Brighton Rocks! Power Sucks? Creating a new democracy for Brighton and Hove is the launch event in our ‘Year of Democracy’ 2016; a series of meetings bringing together a wide range of people and organisations with progressive views to develop a vision, underpinned by practical ideas, on how democracy could be extended, enriched, made fit for purpose for the 21st century in Brighton & Hove and elsewhere.
Non Brighton and Hove citizens warmly welcomed too!
Confirmed speakers so far. More to be announced in due course.
- Caroline Lucas is MP for Brighton Pavilion. She was elected as the UK’s first Green Member of Parliament in 2010. She is a passionate advocate of electoral reform at all levels of democracy.
- Katie Ghose, Human Rights lawyer and current Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. Katie is a regular media commentator on elections and voter disengagement.
- Dr Andrew Blick, Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, Kings College London. Author of ‘Beyond Magna Carta’, Andrew’s main area of interest is the constitutional future of the UK.
- Davy Jones, Green Party candidate for Brighton Kemptown at the last General Election. Formerly of the Audit Commission, Davy is a freelance advisor who works with councils and other public bodies on how to involve local people in decision making.
- Peter Kyle, Labour Party MP for Hove and Portslade since May 2015. A former charity sector executive, in the last Labour government Peter was a Cabinet Office Special Advisor focusing on social exclusion.
Compass is a place where people come together to create the visions, alliances and actions to be the change we wish to see in the world. The Brighton & Hove group was formally launched in 2015.
We think we can do something very special in Brighton & Hove, such as:
- Create a different type of politics in Brighton and Hove where different political interests collaborate with each other to serve the best interests of our city
- Create an exciting new vision for sustainable social and economic progress in Brighton and Hove by working with local people of all ages, backgrounds and interests
- Create a new alliance collaboratively with all the progressive groups, communities, campaigns and parties in Brighton and Hove so our work is mutually supportive rather than competitive
- Engage directly with the public by organising inspiring, innovative and thought-provoking events in public places, where different views can be aired and action stimulated around key issues and campaigns
- Campaign for political change more widely, including electoral reform and the democratisation of power in Brighton & Hove
We are a new group in the making – come and join us to shape this exciting new initiative to take forward progressive politics in collaborative, positive and respectful ways.
For more information on Compass Brighton and Hove: brighton-hove@compassonline.flywheelsites.com
@BtnHoveCompass
Tickets from Fringe Box Office www.brightonfringe.org/box-office 01273 91 72 72
£10/£5/£2