the right to peaceful protest
A cross-party group of MPs has identified failures in the conduct of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) during the Clapham Common vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard.
The report of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy and the Constitution concludes that the MPS didn't take proper account of the right to protest, including the obligation to facilitate peaceful and safe protest.
The report makes recommendations for changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - the Bill in its current form would substantially increase the powers of police to restrict peaceful protest.
restoring social confidence
What is 'social confidence’? It’s a new term, coined by think tank Common Vision and introduced in their latest research report. It’s designed to encapsulate the way we feel about our personal agency within a broader context of solidarity and trust, both in other people and in our institutions.
Drawing from the work of faith groups, Common Vision aim to identify the steps needed to nurture a more socially confident society.
boundary review - the facts
citizens' assemblies - providing social proof
boundary review - the facts
The House of Commons Library has published two relevant briefings this month - rules and procedures for boundary changes and how the public can have a say in the changes.
when four tribes go to war
citizens' assemblies - providing social proof
boundary review - the facts
The UK public divides into four groups when it comes to culture issues – traditionalists, the disengaged, moderates and progressives - new research has found. The study from the Policy Institute at King’s College London found that rather than splitting into two warring tribes, half the public take a more nuanced or variable position.
citizens' assemblies - providing social proof
citizens' assemblies - providing social proof
citizens' assemblies - providing social proof
New academic research from the US shows the impact of Citizens’ Assemblies (aka consensus conferences) when it comes to influencing the electorate. The study shows that opinions on a range of policies do change when the results of a conference are communicated to the electorate.
what does deep canvassing do to deep canvassers?
Firstly, what’s ‘deep canvassing’? Deep canvassing goes beyond door knocking to find out how householders plan to vote, to actively encouraging a meaningful, two-way conversation between activist and voter. A new study has found that reaching out to voters in this way reduced polarisation between activists themselves, leading them to become less hostile towards supporters of other parties and candidates.