A Peoples’ Constitution is fundamental across Alba and the Yes Movement, All Under One Banner AUOB is a fairly succinct title. I understand there are differing opinions on how we get to the start of our journey, that can be helpful. The journey begins as we emerge from the wilderness of the UK Union and find or own way under our own control. This is no surprise. We are like minded in terms of our objective and Pure Democracy will guide us.
My first grenade is lobbed at NewSNP as I began to name them in 2019 (they must hate me). I now see them, group them with the UK Union as assimilates; and that is being kind.
Our success, not just in beginning our journey but the journey itself will be best served by the things we agree on and our ability to resolve and move past the things we don’t agree on.
I want to re-imagine a topic I dealt with in March 22 [Demockeryacy]. I say re-imagine because I fear may have over complicated the subject. That said I would like to revisit the concept from another perspective.
Demockeryacy was my attempt to throw scorn on the use of the term Democracy wielded by the UK and many other Western nations. Suffice to say, my claim is there has never been democracy in the UK. The claim of democracy ranks up there with the very best of Boris’s lies. I will park that for now, but if you can, click the link and follow my logic, if it make sense.
Just as Scotland must base our journey on a Peoples’ Constitution we have a great opportunity to adopt ‘Pure Democracy’. Scotlands’ pedigree in informing the World was recognised during The Scottish Enlightenment; why stop there, why not show the world Democracy as originally intended.
Oddly enough, democracy is not written down as a basic human right. That is not a problem. The United Nations has democracy as it’s core value. It is not written in stone but the UN would never argue against it’s own fundamental core value and I say we can rely on that 100%. There are of course other successful pluralist societies that have adopted other societal forms such as feudal or hierarchical and we can co-exist successfully.
I am aware there are a number of initiative that will produce a Peoples’ Constitution and this will ultimately morph into a unique and living form. I say ‘living’ because our Constitution will be modified and amended as we go forward and this is both normal and essential. However, as we evolve our Constitution and Governance in whatever form that takes, it will best be served when we take the people, all of the people with us. This is the role of democracy, this is the role of pure democracy. Western democracy has always adopted a ‘Darwinian form’; the voice of the people, the voice of the majority. However, as I attempted to demonstrate in Demockeryacy the will of the people, the genuine will of the minority of the people who actually voted for what they personally believed was best for them and the country, was the first casualty. It has a shelf life of a couple of days at best.
The good news. Western Democracy has left us with huge room for improvement. If Scotland can define and adopt a form of Pure Democracy this will shine like a beacon and illuminate our journey. It will give us the must vital tool to evolve our society based on the true will of all of the people.
So, how do we do Pure Democracy? That is a big ask! To an extent it may be just as easy to explain what we don’t do as what we must do.
Every beating heart in Scotland must have a VOICE and an OBLIGATION to express their voice.
Sounds simple, but it is anything but.
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- Children below a certain age and people of an unsound or unsuitable disposition must have a say and this can take a form of proxy similar to a nominated responsible adult charged to express the voice of the person who is not yet able
- Every person must vote either directly or by proxy and there must be a sanction for not complying. In a pure democracy most if not everyone should recognise they have an honest and equal right to their opinion.
- Every candidate in an election must be validated fully and every claim made should be expressed in writing and plain language and this is their bond. This does not imply success but it does imply endeavour.
- Their must be a null candidate. This implies that the voter does not support any views expressed and should the null candidate succeed this has demonstrated that the people are not satisfied with and do not accept what is on offer
- Finally, and fundamentally important there must be a programme of education, whether letters, handouts, broadcasts, even lectures or a combination that explains the importance of every person to vote based on their beliefs and that of their proxy as appropriate. This is a basic equality, independent of any other consideration
In order to ensure the integrity of the system their are further considerations that must be written into law:
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- It must be considered a serious crime for any person or body of any form to attempt to persuade a voter in any form other than their own judgement. I refer to Media, Influencers, Lobbyists etc.
- The concept of Party if such is to exist must be based on concurrence of candidates. Candidates must not be the messengers of a Party and there must not exist any form of ‘whip system’. The concept of like minds cooperating is a powerful and valuable outcome
- Candidates must be subject to a form of qualification. Once satisfied every candidate must enjoy equal unfettered access to the means of projecting what they stand for at no cost to them.
Point is this, if we are to deliver the will of the people we have better understand what that is. That is a starting point.
When we take back control of our Nation were are starting afresh; not virginal. We are like a highly skilled, experienced or qualified person starting our new dream job.
The people of Scotland must consider this as we go forward:
What gives you a better feeling, having a bit more money, better social life, nicer holiday today or the knowledge that you are helping to build a better future for the next generation?