Reinventing Democracy

David Kauders FRSA was educated at Latymer Upper School, Jesus College Cambridge, and Cranfield School of Management. He is an investment manager and author.

"Kauders' call for a written constitution and a federal association is not just relevant to the United Kingdom but holds lessons for any nation grappling with democratic challenges. Reinventing Democracy is an important catalyst for discussion and a rallying cry for a more accountable and responsive political system." - London Economic "A compelling and clear pathway out of Britains failing political morass towards a brighter, truly democratic future." - The European

• PrefaceWhat can be done?Introduction to the second editionSummary of principal concepts1 A country that has lost its wayUncomfortable truthsBritain and EuropeWhat rights do you have?What does the future hold?2 Major UK policy failuresThe seven major mistakesThe cumulative effect of policy failuresMeasures of living standardsPrivatisationThe UK retail energy marketWaterRail3 The case for constitutional changePeople have lost confidence in governmentsWhat makes a society successful?The dead end of political evolutionThe road to British serfdomOther failuresClosing ranks against the truthThe democratic deficitFederal systems of governanceDirect democracyBroader economic issuesOverseas territoriesLinking the issues4 Outline of a solutionLearning from the gross mistakeSovereigntyCompete, compromise, cooperate, consultThe numerical dominance of EnglandCentral or local?Who pays the piper?International agreementsArtificial intelligence and the tech industriesWhat else?5 The Peoples CouncilInverting the structure of powerFunctions of the People's CouncilOrganisations forming the British stateTruthfulnessRequests for referendumsListening to the peopleAssent to legislationOmbudspersonsThe facts hubReferrals to the Constitutional CourtLegislative mandates and venuesThe People's AssentChoosing and refreshing the Peoples CouncilLeadership, building expertise, team work6 The new governmentsLevels of governance and oversightUnited Kingdom responsibilitiesEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Overseas territoriesRegionsThe need for changeRevenue and borrowingUnited Kingdom government revenueRevenues of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandRevenue sources for the regionsGovernment borrowingUser feesWealth taxesPensions, health care costs and social securityOther changes that are needed7 How change could be achievedEnglandScotland and WalesNorthern IrelandInterpretation of preliminary resultsAdopting the new constitutionTimeline8 First draft constitution of the United KingdomNotesThe draft constitutionOverseas territories of the United KingdomCitizensThe state and the citizenThe lawSocial objectivesRelations between the arms of government; financial equalisation; legal relationsForeign affairsMilitary, security, police, emergency servicesCulture, education, religion, chartersEssential services and infrastructureGovernment accounts; the national debt; taxationHealth careBusiness, the economy, common regulation and standardsPensions and benefitsElections to parliaments and local authoritiesLegislationOmbudspersonsThe Peoples CouncilMembership of the Peoples CouncilHonoursEntry into forceChanges to this ConstitutionFurther transitional provisionsThe Constitutional Court Appendix A: The Private Finance Initiative and its contemporary successorAppendix B: RightsReferences