Why we need a more participatory and inclusive approach to local politics
At last week’s full council meeting I had two motions up for debate. One in support of participatory budgeting (PB) as a means of deciding 1% of the Council’s discretionary…
Rebuilding society from the bottom up
This article is an excerpt from the new book 'Regeneration', which you can buy or download here. The rapid flow of money around the world is good for almost no…
This is what democracy looks like – learning from Latin America
This piece first appeared in this week's issue of the Occupied Times Stretched across the tent town by the London Stock Exchange is a banner spelling out the slogan of…
Scottish Green Party Conference Preview 2011
Scottish Green Party conference kicks off today in Aberdeen. Many party members will be hoping to regroup after the disappointment of May’s election. Having failed to pick up the masses…
Taking democratic reform beyond electoral reform
Next week we'll go to polls to vote for councillors, AMs, MSPs and a new voting system for Westminster. Then we'll all go back to our lives and forget about…
How Personal Autonomy can Win Freedom Back for Progressives
This election has been characterised by a remarkable focus on the personalities of party leaders, on the UK coalition and by little focus on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.…
Green Party conference – Saturday morning motions
Conference opened today with one word: "bankers". And how apt. The first motion - "cuts and local public services" - committed the party to fighting public spending cuts at a…
Countering Council Cuts: Local Alternatives to Austerity
Photo courtesy of Guardian Edinburgh via flickr While we've rightly been focussed so far national campaigns, defending welfare and education, we mustn't overlook the fact that many of the cuts…
Edinburgh Greens Give People Budget Control
Leithers braved the beginnings of the snow and ice and turned out to participate in £eith Decides, an innovative approach to funding community projects. Maggie Introduces £eith Decides Twenty five…
Norwich Greens launch ‘Open Council’ manifesto
Norwich Greens have this morning launched their manifesto for the special by-election on September 9th, brought about by a court ruling overturning a one-year term extension for nine city councillors.…