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Elections Action Pack

Intro

It’s time to harness the despair and feelings of betrayal, to re-establish democracy and give power and influence back to people.

This pack gives you everything you need in one place to take action to build connections with local people and groups on local issues.

Educate, inform and engage them in Community Assemblies and deliberative democracy.

Imagine we’re like a Wood Wide Web

A social ecosystem connected through common needs, shared resources and a desire to flourish.

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The Mycleia Network is a shared economy, where ecosystems flourish without greed. The mycelium underfoot ensures their close-by neighbours have the resources (nutrients, water, etc.) they need to flourish. But they also have formed ways to distribute nutrients across their entire network.

This video [1.5 mins] shows how Community Assemblies connect us.

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Landscape

  • Candidates will focus on what they believe to be important to their voters.
  • But we can use Community Assemblies, Hustings and Survey Boards to tell candidates what truly matters.
  • Elections will be taking place for councils and mayors in England, for police and crime commissioners in England and Wales and London Assembly on the 2nd May.
  • There are no local elections in Scotland or Northern Ireland for 2024.
  • Assuming an autumn General Election, it's too early to start election-specific activities - the sweet spot is 4-6 weeks before the election itself when public, media and political attention will be at its peak.
  • We don't want to risk burn-out and loss of momentum/enthusiasm by starting too soon however what we can do is begin to set the agenda now.
  • The Action Strategy includes the 'General Election Pivot' during which:
    • A series of targeted, impactful actions will be undertaken, designed to maximise media coverage and to demonstrate that the current system isn't working.
    • This will also link with the Political Influencing campaign encouraging political parties to include support for a UK-wide Citizens' Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice in their manifestos.
  • Local and general elections may provide an effective context to encourage you to redouble efforts around assemblies to highlight local issues of concern.
  • XRUK is actively encouraging and supporting Local Groups to run assemblies because it's the right way to do politics.

The Communities Assemblies Escalation Plan is part of the 2024 XRUK Action’s Strategy to upgrade democracy.

  1. What is your council’s performance on the climate emergency scorecard? Use My Society and the Climate Action score rating websites to find out.

Survey Boards Are Successful

  • How to make and use Survey Boards
  • Suggested questions [and answers] for your boards:
    • How broken is our political system? [Totally | A little | It’s OK]
    • Are politicians working for your interests? [Yes | Somewhat | No]
    • Have you heard of deliberative decision making/assemblies? [Yes | No]
    • What’s of local concern to you? [Write on a Post-it note]
  • Have a leaflet/flyer to hand out - information, contact details and your next event.

Why Community Assemblies Matter

Community Assembly - How to

WHAT NEXT?

  • This pack will be updated for the General Election and will include Digital Rebellion’s ‘Do It At Home’ actions.
  • Running Community Assemblies now will help firm up General Election candidates’ knowledge of local demands.

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Assets

Resources and Support

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