Citizens' Convention Bill

A Bill to 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

This Bill aims to establish a Citizens’ Convention to involve people more directly in the process of democratic decision-making. The Convention would be set up within 12 months of the Act coming into force. The Convention would make recommendations in the form of written reports to the Secretary of State.

Key areasThe Secretary of State would be required to:

• make regulations about the composition of the Convention and its procedures
• take reasonable steps to ensure that people from the most under-represented and disadvantaged sections of society were involved
• make sure that representatives include people from ethnic minorities, people who are living in poverty or with disabilities or people over the age of 60 or under 25
• consider the recommendations made by the Convention
• co-operate with the Convention in taking decisions about their implementation
• take necessary steps to implement those decisions.