Transitioning to the Global Leading-Edge Democracy
Unified Democracy is so-called because it’s designed specifically to drive Government Cohesion, High-Integrity Policy, Strategic Continuity and Centres of Public Accountability in the proper planning and management of our Economy, Healthcare, Other Public Services & infrastructures. To drive National Unity and the common-purpose of an autocratic state, but rather than supressing the power of democracy and free-speech, to promote and leverage them for the common good.
Following transition, we would keep our existing familiar form of Constituency Representation and voting system – each MP representing their Constituency in The Commons. The exception being that the Cabinet will now simply be formed by the Political Party with the Highest Popular Vote (rather than FPTP).
However, to achieve its goals, UD introduces two additional forms of Representation – namely Politicians and Sector Representatives. These work together in teams called “Sector Management Groups”. Each of these new entities is described below.
1 – Politicians (Proportionally Represented). These individuals are responsible for debating and proposing the policies of their Political Party. So, under UD, Party Policy is no longer formed by an elite few behind closed doors (primarily for purposes of gaining votes), but democratically by the Party as a whole – driving its cohesion. These individuals are, in most cases, also MPs, but are more senior than others – being paid more but disallowed other salary or fee-earning jobs.
Politicians are the Candidate MPs that achieved their Party’s Highest Percentage Votes in the Constituencies in which they stood – whether or not actually elected. There is always a fixed number of Politicians – 260 proposed for the UK (an average of 20 for each Sector of our Economy). For example, if the Green Party achieved 10% of the popular vote, it would have 26 Politicians.
For purposes of forming policy prior to Elections, the Politicians most likely to be assigned to a Political Party are selected from the most likely Candidate MPs, based on Poll projections for each Constituency. Obviously, these individuals could then change, depending on the poll.
2 – Sector Representatives. These individuals are unelected policy experts appointed by the various advisory, representative and regulatory bodies in each Sector of our Economy (Healthcare, Business, Energy etc). There are broadly the same Number of Sector Representatives as Politicians and they have equal influence to in the debate and formation of policy.
3 – Sector Managements Groups. Under Unified Democracy, Politicians and Sector Representatives work together in these devolved teams to debate and propose policy and to ensure its strategic continuity (by being deployed asynchronously). This enables Political Parties to target those Sectors in which they aim to exert most influence (e.g. Healthcare or Citizenship / Immigration), depending on their number of assigned Politicians.
Each SMG is headed by the corresponding PM-appointed Minister and forms the centre of Public Accountability in the development of policy and the ongoing provision of services in that particular Sector (such as for Business, Healthcare, Water Supplies, etc.). In this respect, they interface with Citizens Assemblies in those communities (Constituency blocks), wishing to establish them – promoting joined-up Government and maximising the policy influence of citizens and Sector Professionals.
Sector Management Groups head the related Government Departments from a policy perspective, and in the UK, will be coordinated by the Cabinet Office and operate under the budgetary control of a newly-introduced Fiscal Office – headed by The Chancellor.
4 – Leveraging AI In Government. In the formation of policy, Unified Democracy deploys AI to ensure cross-sector coordination and consistency (e.g., between energy & transportation policy) – essential in the complexity of our highly-integrate digital era and replacing the costs of literally thousands of civil servants. Equally as importantly, to optimise benefit against taxation – to achieve a socioeconomically fair and effective fiscal regime whilst minimising the risks driven by thinly-informed populist policy as we have recently experienced to our considerable cost.
5 – Forming Legislation In the Best Interests of The People. The Policy Proposals formed by the various SMGs (usually as Draft Bills) are than debated by our MPs in The Commons on behalf of their constituents, and eventually form law (after any necessary reworks) by voting in the Lobbies as is done today. However, under UD, the influence of all MPs is equal (regardless of the Party-In-Power) and all votes are now “free votes” (Party Whips being abolished).
6 – Evolving From Top-Down Imposed Policy. As a consequence of all of the above, the role of the Cabinet changes from that of driving policy top-down to one of setting each parliamentary agenda, the requirements for supporting Bills and of supervising the efficient and democratic operation of government (similarly to the board of a major corporation). However, having the most Politicians, the Ruling Party would naturally have the most influence.
7 – Countering the Damage of “Votes By Any Means” Slogan-Based Populism. UD thereby opens-up a new political era where the empty-pledges of politicians will become self-defeating. Because the best-performing Parties will become apparent to the public – informing future voting intentions and incrementally raising the performance of Government. Where it becomes a devolved, accountable and respected part of the society it serves – rather than a detached elite running its own agenda.
A stable and truly-capable government to re-establish credible defences to face-off huge threats in a world where nothing is any more stable or simple. Re-establishing the UK as a democratic exemplar for others – thereby increasing our global influence, supporting the growth of our economy and opening-up channels for greater global cooperation for common problems such as in population shifts and climate change.
The Unified Democracy Movement (UK)) 