theywanttobeelected: the manifestos BETA(i.p.)

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What do you mean by beta (i.p.)?

It is the latest thing, we are in beta and frankly will be in perpetuity. Hell the election is in a short while and then all this will be history.

Chapter 9 Democracy: Power devolved,

Chapter 9 Democracy: Power devolved, citizens empowered Forward to reform and decentralisation not back to opportunism and neglect 1979-1997: Power centralised to Whitehall 1997-2005: Power devolved to Scotland, Wales, London 2010: Stronger local government, with local communities able to make the key decisions about their own neighbourhoods

In our first two terms

In our first two terms we enshrined a new constitutional settlement
between the nations of the United Kingdom. In our
next term we will complete the reform of the House of Lords
so that it is a modern and effective revising Chamber.And we
will devolve more power to local authorities and local communities,
giving people real power over the issues that matter
most to them.

The new Labour case

The new Labour case

Widening access to power is

Widening access to power is as important as widening access to wealth
and opportunity. National standards are important to ensure fairness.
But the best way to tackle exclusion is to give choice and power to
those left behind. Our political institutions – including our own party –
must engage a population overloaded with information, diverse in its
values and lifestyles, and sceptical of power. However, people are passionate
about politics – when they see it affects them. So our challenge
is to bridge the chasm between government and governed. Our third
term will build upon our unprecedented programme of constitutional
reform embedding a culture of devolved government at the centre and
self-government in our communities.

Building from the neighbourhood up

Building from the neighbourhood up

People want a sense of

People want a sense of control over their own neighbourhood. Not a
new tier of neighbourhood government, but new powers over the
problems that confront them when they step outside their front door –
issues like litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.That is why we will
offer neighbourhoods a range of powers from which they can choose,
including:

* New powers for parish

* New powers for parish councils to deal with anti-social behaviour.
* Powers for local people to trigger action in response to persistent local
problems.
* Community funds for local neighbourhoods to spend on local priorities.
* New opportunities for communities to assume greater responsibility or
even ownership of community assets like village halls,community centres,
libraries or recreational facilities.

Good parish councils engage communities

Good parish councils engage communities and make a real difference,
so we will extend the right to establish parish councils to communities
in London.

A vibrant civil society

A vibrant civil society

We believe that enterprises in

We believe that enterprises in the mutual and cooperative sector have
an important role to play in the provision of local services, from health
to education, from leisure to care for the vulnerable. As democratic,
not-for-profit organisations, they can help to involve local people in
shaping the services they want, unleash creativity and innovation, create
jobs and provide new services – especially in neighbourhoods
where traditional services have failed local people in the past.

We have introduced a new

We have introduced a new legal form – the Community Interest
Company (CIC) – and want to support new enterprises. As a major
stimulus to this sector, central government and local authorities will
work with these ‘social enterprises’ wherever possible.Where services
can be provided by mutuals, cooperatives or CICs to the required standards
of quality and value for money, they should be positively encouraged
to develop and be included in procurement policies.We will
discuss with local authorities the best way to achieve this.

In a range of services

In a range of services the voluntary and community sector has shown
itself to be innovative, efficient and effective. Its potential for service
delivery should be considered on equal terms.We will continue to
improve the context in which the gifting of time and resources to the
voluntary sector takes place.We will reintroduce the widely supported
reforms in the Charities Bill.