Regional People’s Assemblies and the National Convention
Overview
Preparations are underway for a national convention to be held with an initial meeting scheduled for 30th November at the Greyfriars Charteris Hall in Edinburgh. As part of preparation for this, we are reaching out to organisations at the local level with a view to establishing priorities in different regions of Scotland by means of people’s assemblies.
This is in line with our commitment to direct democracy and the role of grassroots in self-determination.
The various elements are described in more detail below:
1. The National Convention
The Independence Forum Scotland have been organising a national convention whose purpose is to examine and discuss in detail a full range of issues which need to be addressed if everybody in the country is to fully understand and engage with if we are to function as a nation. Before this happens, however, it is essential that the Convention agrees a framework into which the elements for future discussion can fit. Previous work on projected constitutions notwithstanding, we suggest a “bare bones” constitution into which further deliberations can fit and we suggest that agreement on this one issue be the first item for the Convention to resolve.
1.0 Structure
The Convention will have three component parts:
1.1 Civic/civil organisations.
Civic organisations are large in numbers and diverse. While it is essential that the invitation extends to every such organisation it will be necessary to group many with similar or overlapping interests into single delegate representation in the Convention.
It is to be expected that civil organisations will tend towards the status quo but it is important that they are included in the overall debate but, as with civic organisations, it may be necessary to limit the total of their representation.
The total number of this group is 70.
1.2 The people’s representatives.
Representative delegates are elected by each of the regional assemblies. Three from each of the eight assembly areas plus one each from the three island assemblies, making 27 from the assemblies. In addition, a further 43 will be selected from a pool of interested individuals who submit their IDs and will be picked at random.
The total number of this group is 70.
1.3 Political representatives.
There has been some considerable debate about the inclusion of political representatives in the Convention. We believe, however, that it is essential that elected politicians for part of the Convention but the question is, which politicians?
We have made the following point on many occasions now. Holyrood has no constitutional authority whatsoever. In a recent discussion with Robin McAlpine the suggestion of so-called UDI came up. How would that work? Well, within 24 hours there would be no Holyrood and with no authority within Scotland – not even the police -, all that would be left are sixty three indy supporters and sixty six people looking for a new job. Worst of all, we are not prepared for it. This is the main purpose of the Convention. To discuss and debate the many issues that would face us as a nation state. To determine over two years how we design the country we want to live in.
So, the question again – who represents us? The only ones that will be recognised under international law are the fifty-nine in Westminster. While it is probably unlikely that they will join the Convention in its early stages, we have to ensure that the Convention grows legs, gains authority and makes itself impossible to ignore. That is achievable.
2.0 Making itself heard.
Two elements have to be brought into being, here. The first is to get support, support from those in the public eye, those whose opinions command respect. We are gaining some interest in this area but work has to be done. The other is to generate continued interest through relentless publicity and engagement of the general public which itself creates further publicity.
Once started, the Convention cannot allow itself to stop, nor even to pause.
2. The People’s Assemblies
We aim to create regional people’s assemblies in the period leading up to the Convention. Each assembly covers one regional list area together with one each for the island councils – Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar. The purpose is to discuss and agree the most important issues which affect people’s lives in each particular region. It is to be understood that not every region has the same priorities, that local conditions may alter those priorities and that they may not be properly recognised on a national level.
Meetings may take place face to face, by zoom or both. Scotland Decides can provide zoom facilities and, if necessary, advice on the layout and conduct of the meetings together with print facilities for the production of leaflets if required.
While the conduct of business in the assemblies is in the hands of the assemblies themselves, we suggest the following: that a chair is appointed and that concerns are, by majority vote, prioritised and presented in order of perceived importance.
As for the assemblies themselves, while they are open to all without restriction, voting (using the ID rather than the app) has to carry the authority of registration. It doesn’t matter if only a handful are registered as long as the votes themselves echo the concerns of the attendees.
It is also suggested that the assemblies are represented at the Convention by three delegates from each assembly (one each from the island assemblies). They can continue to feed opinions into the Convention as it progresses.
3. The Three Musketeers
Fighting for the right to self-determination.
With an element of tongue in cheek here, we outline the important background to the Convention throughout its currency. While the Convention, once formed, will set its own rules for debate and the content thereof, IFS will continue to do the logistics – boring stuff but essential if meetings are to continue effectively.
But IFS is more than just that. As meetings progress, IFS will continue to post articles and newsletters together with research material on their website: www.independenceforum.scot - the first of our three musketeers. The short newsletters connect with much more detailed analyses available either on the website itself or through links with the Independence Library or, for more detailed information about direct democracy: www.wecollect.scot , the second of our three musketeers. Here you will find very detailed information about how we see grassroots democracy developing including ways of building it into our evolving constitution.
Then there’s the third musketeer: www.scotlanddecides.org . Linked to the other two, we not only share information but we are the repository of the voting database. Everyone who registers receives a unique ID. This is used for most of the consultative requirements. Those entitled to vote on local, regional or national issues will be contacted with details of the question and any supporting information. In addition, registered voters have access to our app on which they may create their own account and PIN. This is for more serious constitutional issues and has guaranteed international authority. When a question arises, registered voters will be contacted and the app will remain open for thirty days during which time questions may be asked and voters may even change their votes if they decide. National votes may be called through the medium of the Convention at as many times and for as many purposes as necessary, unlike the current system which lies in the hands of the authorities and can only be used if they decide so. All results are collated and open for inspection.
We have had questions asked about the registration fee. This fee - £2.00 – less than the price of a cup of coffee – is to ensure that we keep out of the hands of authorities or interests which may wish to subvert or destroy the system. It is a one-off – you’ll never be asked for any further fee and it keeps us going for two years.
There we have it. Our three musketeers may not have names as sexy as the originals but we are here to fight for you all. Please join us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We remind you that the £2.00 registration fee is a one-off. You will have a unique registration number and will remain registered, subject to annual renewal, free of any further charge. You may also join free of charge as a member. This entitles you to email information but does not entitle you to vote.
If you wish to donate to our campaign fund you may do so on the website or directly to:
People’s Assembly Scotland t/a Scotland Decides
Bank of Scotland
a/c no. 26466161
sort code 80 22 60