Tuesday 10th October, 2023
People Demand Democracy: Demonstrator disrupts Keir Starmer’s Labour Conference speech
During Keir Starmer’s Labour Party Conference speech this afternoon, a single demonstrator climbed on the stage and temporarily stopped the speech. The individual covered Starmer in glitter and wore a t-shirt saying ‘People Demand Democracy’, announcing to the crowd, ‘True democracy is citizen led’ and ‘politics needs an update’.
People Demand Democracy is a new group calling for an upgrade to the UK political system using civil disobedience to get their message across. They are calling for a fair, proportional voting system for Westminster elections and a permanent, legally-binding national House of Citizens, selected by democratic lottery.
People Demand Democracy say: “The people of the UK are more disillusioned by the state of our politics than at any time in living memory - look at the polls. After years of battling over Brexit, lockdown parties, abuse claims, crumbling public services and crashing living standards, people are sick to the back teeth of politicians. And we are furious there is no way to make our voices heard. This has got to change.
“We need a democratic alternative that gives the people of the UK a voice to deal with the major challenges of our time: rampant inequality, an escalating climate crisis, political corruption and on. But what do we have instead? A Labour Party offering very little in terms of real change.”
The demonstrator who disrupted the speech today, said: “A House of Citizens will realign power in society, it will empower people to set the agenda, guide policies and keep politicians in check. We all need a chance for a seat at the table, we all deserve a voice in the room. A People’s House brings people together like a jury, and provides the time to hear from experts and scientists to decide what policy is best for everyone.
“The Labour Party has been captured, donors and lobbyists have more control over Keir Starmer than his members. A House of Citizens will force politicians to listen to people, it dismantles their relationships with the rich, it would create meaningful change in our economy and fix inequality. It would address the climate and ecological emergency and transform our country. It would listen to scientists and communities and unearth consensus, not profit off conflict and division.”
People Demand Democracy have written letters to the leaders of the two leading political parties - Labour and the Conservatives - with an ultimatum: implement our demands by 30th September 2023 or we will take proportionate action to get our message across. The letter to Keir Starmer reads:
“The UK will likely hold a general election in the next 12 to 15 months, giving the people of this country the opportunity to input into who should run it. According to the polls, there is a very good chance you will become the next Prime Minister. However, a different government will not solve the deeply entrenched divisions shackling the UK public, preventing us from uniting to tackle the huge challenges facing us. The political system itself is not fit for purpose, it is not serving the needs of the majority and the resentment towards Westminster will only deepen unless a new government offers real change.
“Crises such as cost of living and climate are related. Their roots lie in the question of power: who has it and who doesn’t. Our democracies are incomplete, undermined and broken. Those that have wealth and power have done that to prevent us, the people, from actually being in charge. If we want to deal with any of the crises we face, we will have to upgrade our democracy.”
Voters favour a new electoral system over the old by almost 2-1. The Labour Party Conference in 2022 endorsed a new, proportional electoral system with around 80 per cent support. But the Labour Party leadership has refused to accept that democratic decision. The UK needs a proportional voting system so every vote counts and a permanent Citizens’ Assembly made up of people from all walks of life to discuss major long term issues without party political pressures. That’s why the People Demand Democracy.
The letter asked leaders to support these changes by September 30th and there was no response. So, today Starmer’s speech was disrupted, and the disruption is planned to continue, targeting both Labour and the Conservative parties.
Contact email: Peopledemanddemocracy@protonmail.com
