Introduced by Julia Goldsworthy (Lib Dem, Falmouth and Camborne), this Bill would establish a Citizens' Convention to facilitate the involvement of people from all sections of society in considering the way in which the United Kingdom is governed; and for connected purposes.

Julia Goldsworthy (Lib Dem, Falmouth and Camborne), introduced the Bill for the second time after the Bill was dropped the first time due to lack of parliamentary time during the previous session. Through the provision of a convention the Bill seeks to facilitate the involvement of people from all sections of society in considering the way in which the United Kingdom is governed.

The convention would commit the Government to establishing a Citizens’ Convention within twelve months of the Bill becoming law, the legislation seeks to involve people more directly in the democratic decision making process. The bill commits the government to consult widely on how the convention is to be implemented and pays particular attention to inclusion of the most under-represented and disadvantaged sections of society.

Goldsworthy produced an Early Day Motion in December entitled, ‘consensus for constitutional reform’ in support of the Citizens’ Convention Bill. The EDM was published on December 18th 2007 and it has one hundred signatures.

House of Commons

First reading: December 17 2007 [HC Bill 49]

Second reading: April 25 2008