Only Labour in government – hopefully in partnership with other progressive parties – can plausibly bring about change. All of us who want radical democratisation therefore have a stake in Labour giving up on the political model it inherited from the 20th century. 

In Labour, Pluralism and Creative Constitutionalism, Stuart White traces the intertwined histories of campaigns for democratic reform – from the English Civil War through to today – and of the Labour Party to show how this isn’t an excessive demand of the party and follows in the spirit of John Smith’s ‘Citizen’s Democracy.’

Indeed, today there are many signs of the party embracing this democratising agenda. Members are overwhelmingly supportive of proportional representation. Andy Burnham has called for “rewiring” Britain, including PR and replacing the House of Lords. Welsh Labour are developing a pluralist, coalitional politics and becoming vocal on a new constitutional settlement.

Alongside these essential reforms, halting the current ‘democratic backsliding’ also requires a citizen-led process of producing a written constitution. This “creative constitutionalism” is an opportunity to reckon with our history while looking forward to the kind of society we want to live in.

Labour have a responsibility not just to win the election but to form a government with purpose; a problem solving government – and that requires them to embrace an expansive agenda of democratic transformation.

Unlock Democracy and Compass are working together on a Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust funded project to build consensus around a new democratic settlement. With a focus on the Labour Party, other progressive parties and civil society campaigners, we are looking to create the conditions for a new 21st century democratic settlement for our nations, communities and citizens.