Common Decency

Our electoral system needs to be user friendly. Our society needs a more Human Scale Organisation where we know plenty about those who stand for election and we know it forst-hand through real community politics. The livelihood and financial situation for the general public is actually a result of feudalism and the enclosure movement. History clings on. Basic income grants would sort out much of the historical baggage and 'kick-start' community capitalism. Education for evolution is also needed to develop empathy, clarity of mind for all, sharing and stewardship of the environment. Here is my take on how we might resolve a lot of issues. It's quite long but thorough - http://paulellson.com/decentralisation-cooperation/ We actually have all we need, right now, to set things right, but courage is needed to walk the talk. There is no one to blame. The future is up to us. This website and all it stands for is a great idea Brian. I hope it attracts a lot of support.

Public ownership, on a sensible basis to ensure investment funds are generated, of infrastructure investment funds, health services, rail, roads, electricity, gas and water [generation - collection - distribution]. A country that generates a shareholder profit from it's own captive population on the basics of living - WATER especially - can't be considered to be properly civilised or progressive.

I would also like to see all elected M.P.’s only owning one home - the one they're living in - an end to politicians fuelling the buy to let rental market by owning and 'letting' multiple properties. This practice is socially divisive and, for 'socialist' politicians, surely incompatible with their so-called 'beliefs'.

Further to this subject, the buy to let / private rental market in general needs to be reformed, as a whole generation of people cannot now hope to buy their own place due to the property price inflation that has ensued. This closure of entry to the property market would have been inconceivable to those who grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and I think means that the younger generations are [going to be] a lot less committed to the United Kingdom than they would otherwise have been. Private, multiple property owning landlords are not a viable or decent alternative to an accessible property market.

Finally, as an aside, any banker, politician or other individual who feels that they cannot continue to live in the UK under anything less than their own definition of optimal conditions, and threatens to 'permanently leave the UK if / if not xxxx ...' - please note that I'm available for airport runs 24/7, f.o.c.

Just let me know when you're flying and where from.

Common Decency is not too much to ask of our parliamentarians, in fact it should be the least we ask of them. Honesty and a care for the welfare of wider society, including all sentient beings, should be asked of every single member of parliament in the 21st century. How extraordinary that common decency is not commonplace....yet.
Let's fight until it is.

I suggest a very simple "pillar", comparable to that relating to the National Health Service :
Revive the Central Electricity Generating Board with a mission to provide economical access to electricity to every Briton.
For decades, the Board, with its wise motto "Power in Trust", was able to use the advantages of public finance and a nationwide extent of system to generate and distribute electricity at the lowest achievable cost. The social benefit of access to energy is so great as to be difficult properly to describe, and electricity is the single most versatile form in which energy can supplied, sufficing for heat, cooking, lighting, mechanical power, transportation, and all the information- and communication-related services which define our modern world. The so-termed liberalisation of the electrical system, undertaken purely because the CEGB was not under necessity of raking off part of the revenue obtained from ratepayers to pay dividends to the cronies of the Government at the time, has only led to higher costs and supply problems. While there is no clear need to have the whole power system be publicly-owned, it is far better to invest in publicly-owned power plants and transmission lines than to make "capacity payments" to private generators so that they will not withdraw their generating capacity in order to force up the price of power.
Bringing back the CEGB will also provide an opportunity to evaluate issues of supply. If we wish to deal with the climate crisis by scaling back the use of fossil fuels, we certainly must not do it by creating a new environmental crisis, in the form of laying waste to forests and fields in order to erect windmills and solar panels. In Germany, where the official policy is one of complete dependence on "renewables", carbon intensity per kilowatt-hour is almost the highest in Europe, and rising rapidly, while consumer prices above twenty pence per kWh (and likewise rising) are making it impossible for less affluent people to use enough energy to secure their quality of life. Meanwhile, centuries-old villages are being demolished to make way for new open-cast coal mines, to feed new coal-fired power stations. Let every Briton remember Aberfan, and think. France, on the other hand, has essentially the lowest carbon intensity and the lowest price for electricity of any European country, and achieved that using a technology in which Britain was once a world leader.
Sanity, and a clear commitment to transparency, are at least as vital here as anywhere else.

How about also abolishing the ridiculous human rights and the dreaded Health & Safety that undermine everything anyone tries to do and which only seem to protect the villain not the victim. Industry is being strangled by health and safety laws although nobody seems to care if other countries don't follow them, we still buy their cheap goods because they can afford to make things cheaper if they don't have to abide by so many restrictions. Obesity isn't being tackled properly either so the NHS is under further pressure. Plenty of things for you to get your teeth into, Dr May and I wish you well, good luck, I'd vote for you if I could.

The common decency platform is awesome. It's replete with compassion and empathy. It advocates respect for all humans and all creatures. It cares deeply about the poor, the sick, the disabled and the elderly. It strives to reduce income inequality. It embraces human rights, animal rights and nature conservation. It endeavors to inspire England to become a more civilized and just nation that is inclusive, kind, peaceful and equitable.

I am interested in what you are advocating, I have never voted before because I honestly feel it would have not made a difference and I never felt there was anybody/party I believed in. Russell Brand has actually got me interesd in all of this and everything he says I totally get. But....I am so very cautious of who and what to believe....how do we know your campaign isn't someone putting lots of money into counter acting the effect that Russell Brand has had in encouraging people not to vote......you are making similar noises to what R.B is saying....but.....you are both saying a complete opposite to each other....you don't wamt us to waist our vote.....Russell says get rid of the system altoghter. I am totally confused. But I so want to be a part of something that helps.....

the electorate need to be made aware that they are voting for their local representative and whoever is elected must be made to represent their locality and not a party - party politics is the enemy of democracy.

At last.

A means by which we can easily see and compare candidates and their policies and promises that they have acted on or not - a bit like the pie chart system you have but using different themes (eg animal welfare, human rights), maybe a collated list per theme and a yes/no selection indicating each candidate's stance on issues under each theme. Maybe an overall pie chart for each candidate with each common decency theme being a slice of the pie, then you could easily see if the candidate is a worthy one?

I live in a constituency which is a labour stronghold and so I always vote for an independent, who comes across as a good person, as they have had the strength to stand with very little hope of succeeding. They are fighting to keep democracy alive. Proportional representation might bring an end to that kind of tactical vote and force me to put far more time and effort into deciding who to vote for.

I have just subscribed to Common Decency and bought badges for me and my husband. I support all the pillars of Common Decency and will encourage everyone I know to support this wonderful course. It would be fantastic if we, as voters and members of our society, could get proper representation from our MP's. I also belong to 38 degrees and have contacted my MP many many times - I do get a response occasionally, and he has never ever voted against the government. I wrote to him about my concerns about TTIP - no response. I wrote to him about Fracking and my concerns about the impact on the environment and drilling ;under my home without permission - he voted with the government. I have written to him about the NHS again nothing happened - his assistant, who was very efficient, did respond quickly. My MP did finally respond after the emails, and my letters to Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron from both of whom I received a lot of pathetic platitudes. My MP invariably tows the party line when he should be representing his constituents and me! If the majority of my fellow constituents do not agree with me I accept the majority view, as I want to live in a democracy. We no longer live in a democracy, we have no power to change the current system through the ballot box. We need to get rid of all the current politicians or at least weed out the best and kick out the rest! We need transparency, a fair tax system,a halt to austerity, a well-funded NHS and education system. We need proper social housing with fair and affordable rents, all this is possible without austerity, we have been lied to about the financial position in this country and this is continuing today. We need, most of all, honesty and integrity which is sorely lacking at present. My husband and I support your stand - we will attempt to vote, but may have to spoil the paper, but it is important to make some sort of statement. Keep up the good work.

I would like to see Government butt out of education and allow the teachers to EDUCATE rather than box tick and Ofsted please. Stop the cuts in Further Education and control this obsession with English and Maths excellence in EVERY subject - I run a Performing Arts Department and the students have clear vocational maths awareness concerning percentages and averages; the things that relate to their subject - and are ace English students but forcing them to sit and rest Maths GCSE will not make them confidant, well rounded individuals as the team playing, group work involved in acting, singing and dance classes does

Banks should indeed be nationalised and the infamous "bonus" scheme abolished, particularly RBS which is "supposed" to be owned by the people yet has huge debts AND CONTINUES TO PAY BONUSES DESPITE FAILURE.
What about a REAL MINISTER who would oversee education for "VINTAGE STUDENTS" not just for the younger students. We are living longer and have active brains that are not content to vegetate. I spent a year at university but soon realised that I had to "FIT IN"
Would it not be possible to have a MINISTER WITH A REMIT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE. So many of us have lives made immeasurably richer because of animals. Laws have been made but there is a need for so much more.
Thank you Brian for REALLY CARING and for being part of a group that has given so much to fans around the world. Common Decency is exactly what this country needs and sadly was lost during the years of the last government. As parents, we raise our sons and daughters to THINK OF OTHERS. TREAT THEM AS YOU WOULD WISH TO BE TREATED. Let us try to bring that aim into politics.

A requirement that all MPs living within 90 minutes' public transport of the Houses of Commons only receives funds for one house, and all others to receive either rent or expense funding (whichever is cheaper) for one of the cheapest London residence that is suitable for the job requirements. No house swapping, nothing more expensive than a two-star B&B, no sneaking duck ponds onto an "essential maintenance budget".

A general salary in line with the work actually done - for example, fix the MP's entry wage at the same as an average graduate gets in their first job, with increments in line with those a graduate outside politics can expect to receive. Cap wages at three times the national average wage. No duckponds - unless we all get to have bread to feed the ducks congregating there.

Expenses to be held to the same standards as those for unemployed people. No duck ponds on expenses.

A requirement that MPs may only stand in constituencies if they either live in that constituency, or live in an adjacent one (election campaign managers already have this rule), and have done so for at least a year prior to the election. No bussing candidates halfway up the country because they lost a seat, without them at least doing some proper "homework" first. Local duckponds, please.

Four-day parliaments (possibly with shorter holidays, definitely with more efficiency), with MPs required to prove that they spent a whole day working in their constituencies every single week that Parliament is in session, or else forfeit 1/5 of their pay for the week (unless there is good cause). Being absent from any day of Parliament without good cause to also result in 1/5 of pay being deducted. Missing part of a day of Parliament (again, without good cause) to result in proportional docking of wages. Earn your duckponds.

Limit the number of hours Parliament may be in session on a given day, and require a certain amount of business to actually be completed each day. Let MPs have time to see duck ponds once they've done their jobs.

Require some sort of effort at continuing education from MPs. The expansion of free online courses means that it should not be too difficult to ask MPs to learn new things while in office, that they may better understand the work they must do. After all, the world is always changing and MPs are allowed to make law on anything that is not impossible (either literally or by traditional precedent). Know why having a duck pond might be a good idea.

Expect MPs to behave honestly, efficiently and with actual respect to their collegues. No saying stuff that's obviously false, badly-thought-out or just plain silly and hiding behind the "free speech in chamber" law, no waffling on for hours in an attempt to hide a rubbish argument, no ridicule of items said by others without evidence or bullying hiding behind honeyed use of honourifics or sham deference. The Speaker of the House to hold MPs to a reasonably high standard, advising them immediately if they speak unethically and being bold enough to use temporary expulsion powers for incorrigible cases. Compulsory by-election (with incumbent permitted to stand) for three expulsions in the same term of Parliament. Compulsory training for all MPs if the Speaker of the House feels there are systematic failings that are impairing the general ability to make laws in a wise and ethical manner. MPs are adult people, not ducklings.

Referenda on any matter getting 100,000 votes on the official Westminster petitions site to have not already been voted upon in the previous 5 years and be neither literally impossible nor illegal under international obligations. Multiple referenda items to be bundled together, provided that no eligible item have its vote delayed for more than 3 months after the 100,000 mark is passed. We are adult people, not ducks.

I have a thing about MPs putting in a similar day's work, and getting a similar day's reward, as the people they wish to represent.

Also, I may have a thing about MPs and duck ponds...

Our Future Our Voice

1) A Financial Transaction Tax of 1% on FATCAT Bankers and hedge funds
2) University Education at fees of no more than £4,500 per year
3) No Loopholes for offshore banking
4) Sensible legalization of Drugs ( controlled, taxed)

5) Scraping of our Nukes to Save Billions of £'s
6) 100% Ban on GMO's
7) 100% Ban on Fracking
8) Serious investment in renewable energy such as Thorium & Solar

9) Reform of the House of Lords to make it more democratic
10) Rent Controls in London
11) Petrol prices of a £1 a liter by cutting taxes which make up 60% of current prices
12) Online based Direct Democracy based on the Swiss Model (public votes on major issues from war, bailouts etc)

13) IN or OUT Referendum on EU membership (regardless of our personal preferences, the public has to have a vote for our membership to be legitimate)

14) Serious investment in 3D Printed Homes to provide affordable, efficient, modern & practical homes in the UK. Chinese companies such as Winsun and the Broad Sustainable Group have demonstrated this technology)

15) Breaking up of the Big Six energy cartel and forcing them by law to pass on energy savings to customers (none compliance will result in nationalization)

16) Every prison inmate that is serving time on charges of violence, murder or pedophilia should have the right if they choose to, to go through psychedelic (Ayahuasca, DMT or Iboga) therapy on a quarterly basis during their time in prison. These have a 90+% success rate in reforming drug addicts and those that are not of sound mind.

17) Serious tax breaks and incentives for electric vehicles

18) Implementing a sensible immigration policy that is respectful to both migrants and natives (making sure the culture, heritage and identity of the host country...the UK is respected.

19) Nationalizing the rail networks

20) Eradicating lobbyists from government

21) Government contracts and tenders only for companies that pay a living wage of at least £8.00

22) shutting down the absurd Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that would allow multinational companies to sue governments and eradicate the NHS.

Our Future Our Voice

1) A Financial Transaction Tax of 1% on FATCAT Bankers and hedge funds
2) University Education at fees of no more than £4,500 per year
3) No Loopholes for offshore banking
4) Sensible legalization of Drugs ( controlled, taxed)

5) Scraping of our Nukes to Save Billions of £'s
6) 100% Ban on GMO's
7) 100% Ban on Fracking
8) Serious investment in renewable energy such as Thorium & Solar

9) Reform of the House of Lords to make it more democratic
10) Rent Controls in London
11) Petrol prices of a £1 a liter by cutting taxes which make up 60% of current prices
12) Online based Direct Democracy based on the Swiss Model (public votes on major issues from war, bailouts etc)

13) IN or OUT Referendum on EU membership (regardless of our personal preferences, the public has to have a vote for our membership to be legitimate)

14) Serious investment in 3D Printed Homes to provide affordable, efficient, modern & practical homes in the UK. Chinese companies such as Winsun and the Broad Sustainable Group have demonstrated this technology)

15) Breaking up of the Big Six energy cartel and forcing them by law to pass on energy savings to customers (none compliance will result in nationalization)

16) Every prison inmate that is serving time on charges of violence, murder or pedophilia should have the right if they choose to, to go through psychedelic (Ayahuasca, DMT or Iboga) therapy on a quarterly basis during their time in prison. These have a 90+% success rate in reforming drug addicts and those that are not of sound mind.

17) Serious tax breaks and incentives for electric vehicles

18) Implementing a sensible immigration policy that is respectful to both migrants and natives (making sure the culture, heritage and identity of the host country...the UK is respected.

19) Nationalizing the rail networks

20) Eradicating lobbyists from government

21) Government contracts and tenders only for companies that pay a living wage of at least £8.00
22) shutting down the absurd Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that would allow multinational companies to sue governments and eradicate the NHS.

We have little say in who becomes a candidate for election in the first place. They are chosen from lists 'approved' by party hierarchies- in the first place,if out candidates don't adequately reflect our views, or have any life experience of real people,how can that be meaningful choice? It is almost impossible for working people to ever become elected as MPs- without significant financial backing/time off work/support structures. Voting for 'the best of a bad bunch' is not democracy. If you take the so called democracy that is Police and Crime Commisioners the deposit for candidates was £5,000 then the cost of campaigning, together with time off from work/lost wages etc; Is it any wonder that the narrow band from which these unrepresentative candidates were drawn had the lowest electoral turnout ever? The whole system of UK Politics needs to change . Common Decency is a great platform for initiating that change.

Slam the brakes on immigration and start reversing it. Get our country able to feed itself by growing our own food in a sustainable way. Ban the slaughter of animals unless stunned first. Create big nature reserves and join them up so wildlife is able to move around. Fit the number of cars to the existing roads instead of constantly building new ones.

I think this is daft - at 16 they are still at school, and many won't leave education for another five or six years. Let them do a days work, then find out who's side they're on. I agree, though, that we're giving children a lot of mixed messages, both socially and in law.

Thank you for all your informative comments on our webpage.
Please ask your friends and family to comment on their local candidates so we can build up a picture that may help others decide which is the ‘Common Decency' way to vote. https://www.commondecency.org.uk/may-7th-2015/2015-candidates-2

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