Democracy. What is it? Parliament? Cabinet government? Referenda? Direct action? Local elections? Party politics? Independent candidates? Election rules?
In the past month I have experienced views on all of the above like, I suspect, most ADSO members. It’s our job to try to make it work whatever system applies to us. As I write this piece there remains complete uncertainty as to whether Brexit will be done by 31 October 2019 or ever. It looks like Parliament will sit on a Saturday for the first time in 40 years – I doubt very much if the average shop worker, nurse, bus/train driver, et al will have much sympathy for that!
What we do know is that democracy can be hard. For many decades representative democracy via the first past the post electoral system has served the country well – or at least satisfactorily. Most people have been happy for the many tiers of government just to get on with it. But now, and whether it’s just about Brexit or the increased engagement through social media and the like, there is an unrest, division and mistrust in the democratic process. At the SLCC conference I heard presentations on how some town councils have moved away from the party system. Whether that’s the beginning of a trend or a blip only time will tell, but we all need to be aware that despite the UK being a very stable place with an evolutionary constitution rather than a revolutionary one, things will change and those changes will affect those at the very heart of the organisations such as democratic services and governance officers.
Changing tack completely, I have just had a glance at the current forum topics. Things that caught my eye were issues around apprenticeships; how to deal with exempt information in respect of pensions/investment panels and the officers who advise such panels; mechanisms to improve the quality of information ahead of motions being debated; and modern minute taking options. There are many others and they mostly end in satisfactory guidance and support being achieved. It is a fantastic way of rapidly gaining a second or third opinion on a thorny subject and I would encourage all ADSO members to use the option. If of course your query is so thorny as to not elicit support or advice you are always welcome to contact any of the directors and we will endeavour to give you some guidance!
Finally, I am told that a place has come available on the ‘Working in a Political Environment’ course at Camden on 5 November and we also still have places on the one in Birmingham on 11 November. Given all that I have said above about democracy and its complexities now is as good a time as any to take up that training place!
Peter Savage