Democracy for the People

We are committed to government of the people, by the people, for the people. Those with power to affect our way of life must be answerable to the people. Democracy is much more than the ability to choose, from time to time, between broadly similar parties which compete amongst themselves for power. Real democracy is measured by the ability of the people to manage their political, economic, physical, and cultural environment.

The English Democrats will be guided by the following general principles:-

• The state should serve the collective interests of its citizens.

• We wish to see a modern and wide-ranging Bill of Rights founded on traditional English civil liberties.

• The English Democrats seek a far ranging citizen's freedom of access to state information.

• Wherever reasonably practicable, public appointments should be chosen by direct election.

• Power should be devolved, as and when practical, within all spheres of government and service provision, including, for example, the education and health services.

• Devolution within England should be through the traditional system of local government, subject to modifications that are necessary to meet the needs of a workable and efficient democratic system. The aim should be to enable local people to identify with Local Authorities. We must reverse the trend towards remote and unaccountable decision-making.

• We favour recognition for traditional counties, which would include the reunification of Yorkshire;

• We favour the use of referenda in local government with a view to using referenda in other tiers of government if the experiment proves successful. A system similar to that used in Switzerland should be the model. This would enable citizens to petition for a referendum on certain policy issues.

• Proposed changes to the constitution should be referred to the electorate in referenda. The results should be binding. There could be a role here for an upper Chamber as guardian of the constitution.

• Rules are needed for the timing and funding of referenda with the aim of making them as fair as possible to all parties involved.

Liberty

We support moves to maximise individual liberty and reduce state involvement in people's lives.

Other Policies

• Why should England have a parliament?
• What would the English Democrats do about prescription charges?
• How would the English Democrats handle the economy?
• How can England regain sovereignty from the European Union?
• How can we return power to the people on the street?
• Can England adopt a sensible immigration policy?
• Isn't it time we started celebrating St George's day?
• Political Correctness has gone too far, how can we rstore commonsense?
• Where do you stand on other issues?