'Opening up democracy'

28th June 2010

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ePolitix.com speaks to Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response, about its forthcoming MP briefing, 'Opening up Democracy'

United Response is holding an event for new MPs as part of the ongoing 'Every Vote Counts' campaign called 'Opening up Democracy', what will this involve?

In the run-up to the recent election we did a lot of work promoting voting amongst people with learning disabilities as part of our 'Every Vote Counts' campaign, urging politicians to communicate in a simpler and more accessible way so that the people we support felt able to vote. Politics can be so complex and jargon-heavy that it turns many people off. We received a huge amount of support from the main political parties, particularly when, for the first time ever, all three produced easy-read manifestos.

But democracy isn't just about elections, it's also about being able to participate on a day-by-day basis, whether by going to MP surgeries or attending council meetings or getting involved in local pressure groups. That's why we will continue our work promoting accessible communications by local and central government, so that people with learning disabilities can get involved. Opening Up Democracy is the latest stage in that work – we are hoping to attract a lot of new MPs to come along and learn practical steps towards a more open, democratic system. There will be senior politicians speaking about the importance of reaching out to your own constituents, as well as our own communications experts telling them how to do it well.

What sort of information and materials will be available to MPs on the day?

The most important are probably our 'Making Democracy Accessible', interactive guides. These each include a printed booklet and a CD-ROM with simple and practical tips on how to produce websites and political materials in a jargon-free, visual and straightforward way. That means MPs can let as many of their constituents as possible know what work they are doing on their behalf. The guides have been received incredibly positively by the MPs and local authorities who already have them.

But we will also be hosting a practical workshop on the day, where UR Consultants – a team of communications experts with learning disabilities, who provide advice on how to get your message across simply and clearly – will be inviting MPs to submit their own political materials to be translated accessibly. I think this will show MPs that it's simple and effective to be accessible, and it makes political sense.

The Every Vote Counts campaign has been hugely successful, the political parties all produced accessible manifestos for the first time, did the number of people with learning disabilities voting at the last general election increase?

We are still assessing this internally, but the early signs are that, yes, there has been a marked increase in the numbers of people with learning disabilities voting. It's still not equal with the rest of the population, but it's a massive step in the right direction, and we're very excited by this.

Feeling able to vote has given people with learning disabilities a voice where they were previously unheard; it has empowered them to have a say on issues which affect them; it has helped them to feel more included in their own communities, and it has given them the chance to show that they are equal and valuable members of society. Perhaps most importantly, now that they are an electorally significant force, politicians can no longer afford to ignore their needs and concerns.

Do you think that access to democracy is taken as a given in this country and thus there is a lack of understanding about what may limit people from voting?

Sadly, yes, this does seem to be the case. Most people have accepted the complexity of our democratic system as a given, just one of those things, without thinking that it stops many people from feeling able to vote - not just people with learning disabilities, but also people with low literacy, English as a second language, or indeed anyone who has ever found politics difficult to understand. That's why I hope this event will be another step towards a simpler and far more open democratic system, which will benefit all of us.

Does an issue like this have cross-party support, and how can MPs show their support for this campaign?

Yes, absolutely, and that's why it was so exciting when all the main parties agreed to the accessible manifestos. All politicians recognise the need to engage more people in politics, including people with learning disabilities. The best way MPs can show their support for the campaign is by taking a good look at the way they communicate and whether they can strip away all the jargon and complexity and be more straightforward. Coming along to this event would obviously be a good start, but if they can't make it they could ask for a copy of the Making Democracy Accessible guide – email alexis.camble@unitedresponse.org.uk if you need one.

Following the event, what is the next hurdle of the 'Every Vote Counts' campaign?

We won't stop until we feel that people with learning disabilities have the same opportunity to get democratically involved as everyone else. That doesn't mean that everyone will vote - just as many people without disabilities choose not to vote - but it means they should have the information they need to make that choice. So we will keep working with all the political parties and with all local authorities towards our vision of a society where people with disabilities are truly equal participants. Watch this space!