Taking Power - Have your say about how Britain is run

7.53.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Sep 2006

A month-long, virtual conference to take power to the people has been launched. It builds on the work of The Power Inquiry, which held a meeting in Chelmsford in Summer 2005 (see link below) as part of a nationwide consultation that reported recently. Lib Dem peer, Lord Tyler has launched www.takingpower.org as a cross-party initiative to stimulate political debate through an online conference.

"I took part in the Chelmsford Power Enquiry last year and am I delighted that this follow-up project is now underway," said Stephen Robinson, local Lib Dem parliamentary candidate 2005. "For me, who has political power is one of the fundamental issues of the time. Power has become increasingly centralised and needs to be dispersed."

The 'virtual' conference is especially aimed at engaging young people of all political persuasions. It will take as its basis the recent report of the Power Inquiry, a thorough exploration and analysis of the features and failings of British democracy.

"It is alarming that so few young people choose to vote. Yet this crucial age group are by no means apathetic. This conference is about finding out how our politics needs to change to engage their interest in the democratic and parliamentary process. I urge citizens of all ages and political persuasions to have their say at www.takingpower.org" - Lord (Paul) Tyler

The Power Inquiry was established to discover what is happening to our democracy. Why has disengagement from formal democratic politics in Britain grown in recent years and how can it be reversed? www.powerinquiry.org

Related Link:

Report from the Chelmsford Power Enquiry meeting June 2005.