There is reasonably unprecented apathy towards our political system – trust and confidence is at a record low. As many as 58%, a record high, say they ‘almost never’ trust ‘politicians of any party in Britain to tell the truth when they are in a tight corner’. The rise in populism did not happen overnight and is a symptom of things not working. We can not sit on our hands.

The scope for new structures in political parties to democratise them, make them public-orientated:

Reforming the political party, fit for the modern age:

• Open and Active Membership: Allow more people to engage and participate in decision-making. By making engagement more accessible, parties can ensure that their decisions represent a broader cross-section of society.
• Participatory Policy Development: Allow party members to participate in policy development through online platforms, town halls, or local assemblies (open to the public). Rather than policies being dictated by central leadership, policies would be co-created by party members from the grassroots level (not just at party conferences).
  • Digital Democracy Tools: Implement digital platforms where members can propose, debate, and vote on party policies. This would democratise the process and encourage more active involvement from people across the political spectrum.
• Primary Elections: Introduce open primaries, where party members, and even the public, can vote on candidates for elections rather than having party elites select candidates in private. This empowers ordinary citizens to have a direct say in who represents them.
• Local and Regional Assemblies: Set up regional assemblies where grassroots members can propose policies, discuss issues, and even help select local candidates. These assemblies would serve as democratic forums for policy development and encourage broad participation.

Essentially, direct democracy and decentralisation of policy-making, particularly on a case-by-case basis digitally through an online portal.

For the political homeless:

Key Principles

Economic Democracy

• Worker ownership and participation in business decisions
• Democratisation of capital and investment
• Reduction of wealth inequality while maintaining economic dynamism
• Regional economic development (local government tax raising powers) to address geographic disparities

Civic Nationalism Fused With Internationalism

• Pride in British democratic traditions, institutions and identity (focus on social cohesion), but commitment to co-operation with Europe goes hand-in-hand for better outcomes
• Inclusive and proactive citizenship
• Strong international cooperation on global challenges
• Commitment to democratic reform, bottom-top approach

Humanism

• Evidence-based policy making for better social outcomes
• Protection of individual rights and civil liberties
• Secular governance with respect for diverse beliefs
• Investment and expansion in education, arts, and sciences
• Harnessing technology for human potential
• Protection of digital commons and public knowledge spheres

Cosmolocalism

• Open knowledge and design sharing across global networks
• Local manufacturing using technologies like 3D printing, CNC machines, and other digital fabrication tools
• Commons-based peer production where communities collaborate on designs that can be locally adapted
• Reduced environmental impact through decreased shipping and transportation needs
• Democratisation of production and innovation

Potential Policy Directions

• Employee representation on company boards
• Public asset wealth funds with citizen dividends, regional development funds controlled locally
• Participatory budgeting
• Democratic reform including citizens’ assemblies for policy development
• Community-led housing and planning initiatives, co-design
• International cooperation on climate, taxation, and human rights
• Investment in public infrastructure and services, regeneration & revitalisation

This party would position itself as pragmatic idealists, bringing together economic justice with civic responsibility and using local democratic empowerment to confront the rise of populism and division in the modern age.

Would anybody like to lend a hand?