The Citizens Assembly on the future of Scotland shows what an improved democracy in Scotland could look like. A Citizens Assembly would complement the elected Scottish Parliament. Such a House of Citizens could place Scotland at the forefront of democratic innovation. It would make it a global leader in citizen empowerment and engagement. It could increase the level of trust in our political institutions and decision-making.
The recent Citizens Assembly on the future of Scotland has painted a considered and compelling picture of what an improved democracy in Scotland could look like, including a proposal, supported by 83.5% if its members, to complement the elected Scottish Parliament with a permanent citizens’ assembly (with regular rotation of membership), i.e., to establish a House of Citizens in the Scottish Parliament. Such a House of Citizens could place Scotland at the forefront of democratic innovation and make it a global leader in citizen empowerment and engagement; we strongly recommend this proposal be adopted by all political parties to increase the level of trust in our political institutions and decision-making.
The instigation of one of the world’s first House of Citizens in a parliamentary setting would be a momentous decision and put Scotland at the forefront of democratic innovation and citizen empowerment and engagement. It will, by necessity, be an immense learning experience and governments around the world would all turn to Scotland to observe the outcome. Such a House of Citizens is feasible, popular, and indeed an urgent necessity. It would increase public trust in legislative decisions and boost the confidence of MSPs that their bills and laws have broad, well-justified public support.
It would counter the perceived capture of the political process by elites and other vested interests by putting everyday people’s voices directly into the legislative process. It would, indeed, be more than simply the inclusion of people’s views into the legislative process. What these deliberating members of Society will deliver is more than mere public opinion: they will increase the legitimacy of the Scottish Parliament by producing informed public judgements.