The New Chartists - We need a Charter for real change in the UK.

We need real change in the UK, and we need it very soon. But how do we bring it about? Millions of Brits are pissed off. They are struggling to pay the rent, mortgage, energy bills and put food on the table. While Musk rants about Farage and Tommeh, Trump steps into the Whitehouse, and genocidal Kid Starver freezes pensioners and cuts benefits for the disabled more, and more people are suffering.

Our political system, and democracy is broken, our economy is broken, our country is broken, and the 'change' Starmer promised is simply the same old shit we have had to put up with for the past 14 years. It's not just the working classes who are suffering, so are the middle class and the petit bourgeoisie. Graduates are struggling in low paid jobs. The country is ripe for a peaceful revolution.

I'm not convinced we need a new political party, but we definitely need a people's movement for change. We need real democracy - direct democracy - in which our citizens can all participate. Furthermore, we know that this can work because it's already been tried through citizens assemblies.

Recently, I found this article by Peter Garbutt, an old GP comrade of mine. He explains how the system can work and bring about the changes we need in a dying society and planet, where we must work to avoid climate collapse.

He says: 

"Here’s how it would work. First, a political party would be formed with the specific and explicit aim of introducing government by citizens assemblies – selected by sortition, much like juries are at present – and introducing UBI. It’s extremely difficult for new parties to make headway in our system. It’s usually a lack of money or a lack of media coverage that’s the problem."

And:  

"By the end of the party’s term, the system of governance by citizens’ assemblies would be up and running. The party’s final act would be to adopt the constitution and abolish political parties, including itself."

I'm not sure if we need a political party to bring about the changes we need, but the support of a political party would be important. As for UBI that is a separate issue not covered in the post.

The Great Chartists meeting on Kennington Common in 1848

So many people are disillusioned with our 'democracy' and political parties that the biggest group we have is none voters. I think a people's movement, let's just call it the New Chartists, could produce the momentum for the change we need. So let's work together a draw up a new charter of our demands for the changes we need. The demand must include citizens assemblies with the power to make decisions locally and nationally, and a written constitution.

Millions, on the left and centre, are disillusioned with the state of the UK and our 'democratic' system. Only the right are enthused because they sense a chance to seize power. Let's grasp this opportunity to thwart them and bring about real positive change! What other choice do we have?