For immediate release
Supporters of Assemble projected messages onto the House of Lords reading: ‘EVICT THE LORDS’, ‘POWER TO THE HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE’, and ‘TIME TO ASSEMBLE’. They took this action in support of Assemble’s campaign to replacing the House of Lords with a democratic House of the People: where a randomly selected and demographically-representative body citizens legislate based on the outcomes of local Assemblies, which are regular public meetings. [1]
Recently Assemble launched the House of the People. Hundreds of attendees deliberated on the outcomes of 30 Assemblies that have occurred across the UK over the past six months, crunching them into 5 clear demands that were released in a public statement on Monday 23rd of September. [2]
Beth Semikin, 30, a disabled student and advocate from South London is a spokesperson for Assemble. She said today:
“Regular people like us are locked out of politics, and most politicians care more about freebies, perks, and their own self interests than the worries of regular people. The climate is failing, children are dying, and fascism is rising because of our outdated political system. A new House of the People is an essential upgrade to democracy.”
Assemble is fundraising to host an official House of the People event in 2025, which will see participants that proportionately represent the UK’s demographics travel from all over the UK and spend several days deliberating on issues that will be raised in local Assemblies between now and then. They will be paid for their time and informed by subject matter experts to create another 5 policy proposals.
A public-led institution like a House of the People will produce fairer, more effective, and more democratic outcomes than the existing parliamentary system, which is not fit for purpose. The recent election saw the lowest turnout and vote count for two decades, yet produced a prime minister with the strongest majority. Polls show that nearly 1 in 4 British people are in favour of replacing the House of Lords with a permanent rolling citizens’ assembly. [3] [4]
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Notes to Editors
[1] Assemble is part of the Umbrella movement which includes Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand. The group endorsed 26 independent candidates in the general election, including Shockat Adam and Andrew Feinstein.
The group is building a alternative home for the voice of the country, by inviting members of the public from all backgrounds and places to carefully consider the evidence and reach decisions on the biggest issues of our time, including the UK’s approach to the climate crisis, genocide, and poverty.
[2 https://timetoassemble.org/assemble-to-host-house-of-the-people-launch-event-in-london-on-11th-august/
[3] https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/house_of_citizens_tops_public_poll_to_replace_the_house_of_lords
[4] https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/the_growing_trust_crisis_in_uk_politics