June 3, 2015
Flatpack democracy
While we may have moved far beyond the days of the ‘rotten boroughs’ of the early 19th century when there was little expectation that those elected should have any sort of representative function, democracy is still a constant work-in-progress, particularly at a local level. The last edition profiled the people’s takeover of Frome Town Council. A neat little how-to guide – Flatpack Democracy – has been published as a result. Five copies are available to anyone who wants one. First come, first served.
3/6/15
Britain today has a dysfunctional political system. Many politicians are making decisions to meet their own needs or those of their Party, not the needs of the people they serve.
This guide is based on what is happening in Frome, Somerset where after years of missed opportunities, a group of local residents took control of their town council and set about making politics relevant, effective and fun.
Flatpack Democracy is both the story of what happened and an instruction manual for taking political power at a local level, then using it to enable people to have a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives.
We have been excited, delighted and honoured by the response to the John Harris article in the Guardian and the number of radical, intelligent people who want a copy of Flatpack