Brown attends first ‘citizen’s jury’
Gordon Brown’s “new kind of politics” has been set in motion today with the first citizen’s jury in Bristol.
The prime minister launched the concept last week, saying the juries would attempt to consult and engage the public in the formation of government policy.
Mr Brown attended the first meeting in Bristol with education minister Ed Balls, to be greeted by journalists and independently selected members of the community.
The first meeting is intended to focus on issues relating to children.
Mr Brown said the teachers, parents and education officials present, would have the opportunity to ask questions and have their “views and voices heard”.
Speaking last week, the prime minister said he wanted to implement a new, progressive form of politics, where the public will have more input in the legislative process.
Explaining how today’s jury would unfold, he said:
“The first citizens jury will be held later this week on children: how to ensure that every child can be safe, secure and successful at school; how parents can get the support and advice they need as they bring up their children; and how we can ensure that our education system reaches the very highest standards.
“Participants will be given facts and figures that are independently verified.
“They will look at real issues and solutions – just as a jury examines a case.”
Particularly, those present will be discussing how the proliferation of violent and sexual imagery can be regulated in public spaces, such as the internet.
The views expressed during the meeting will then be considered by the government and processed into a consultation paper, expected to be published later this year.
The Liberal Democrats expressed scepticism over the new government campaign, claiming that allowing the public to draft a written constitution, would prove a more meaningful way of counteracting voter alienation.
The Conservatives also jumped to stifle the government’s latest move, announcing their own plans to introduce “national citizenship service” for all 16-year-olds to integrate them into society.
The next jury meeting will take place next week and will centre on the issue of crime, especially pertinent at present due to the recent wave of gang related incidents across Britain.
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