This is why parliament needs to replace the e-petitions system with a House of Campaigns

Our representative democracy is failing too many of our democratic representatives. While many of us are interested in political issues, fewer of us feel much loyalty to a political party. We can often feel better represented by the campaigning organisations that champion the particular causes that we care about. Unfortunately, as things stand, our democratic representatives in these campaigning organisations rarely get the influence that they deserve.  

Perhaps the most obvious example of this in recent years was the case of the subpostmasters. They had been the victims of gross injustice. They had right on their side. They had used all the existing political channels with dogged determination. And they were let down. Neither their hard work nor the force of their argument counted for much. Until ITV broadcast Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Only at that point was the government forced to act.  

The subpostmasters’ struggles exposed a political system that, in critical ways, is no longer fit for purpose. When British citizens have a valid and important point to make, they should be able to make that point through their parliamentary democracy. They should not have to go to the ITV1 commissioning editor because Westminster is not doing its job. We need to change our political system so that it reflects the way in which we think about politics.

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The starting point is to consider the ways in which our campaigning groups can make their (and therefore our) voices heard in our parliament and, through parliament, in the country more widely. 

At present, some campaigns use the parliamentary e-petitions system. If an e-petition receives more than 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in the House of Commons. In the 10 years since the parliamentary e-petitions website was launched, 382 such debates have taken place. These debates can be a useful way to put pressure on the government. Some e-petitions have even led to changes in the law. Many more, however, sink without trace. Unfortunately, there have also been some flippant petitions that undermine the credibility of the system itself.  

Moreover, the fact that MPs have not chosen to debate the subject matter of a given e-petition leads to concerns that parliamentarians may not be familiar with the issue and may not be able to present the arguments in the most powerful way. It would often be better to allow campaigners to make their own case, in their own words. That would be the next logical step for the e-petition system.  

Modern online petitioning started with the government e-petition website, which allowed people to petition their causes directly. In 2011, Sir George Young (then the leader of the House of Commons and now championing participatory democracy from the House of Lords) brought the system closer to parliament with the right for popular petitions to be considered for debate in the House of Commons. Sir George said that this reform was “a step towards a more accessible and transparent” parliament. At the same time, however, he warned against the danger of parliament becoming “complacent”. 

He was right on both counts. Bringing campaigns into parliament was an important step forward. But parliamentary reform is an ongoing process. It is now time to take another step and to bring campaigners themselves into parliament. We need a ‘House of Campaigns’.

The House of Campaigns would be a new chamber in parliament. It would not have a permanent membership but rather would be open to Britain’s campaigning organisations. It would meet on one Friday each month. Each day would have six 30-minute sessions. Campaigns wanting to speak in the chamber would apply online. 

The sessions would be allocated by a House of Campaigns Committee made up of representatives from across the political spectrum and with a majority of non-parliamentarians in its membership. The House of Campaigns Committee would have a responsibility to ensure that a wide range of campaigns and campaigners was invited to speak.

A campaign would have 30 minutes in which to make an argument. It would conclude with a ‘Request for Action’ asking a department to take a specific action. Government would not be obliged to comply with the Request for Action, but would be obliged to respond in detail. 

If the government decided not to act, it would need to then explain its decision. The House of Campaigns would give campaigners direct access to ministers and it would ensure that those ministers paid attention. That is far more than many campaigners get at present. 

Importantly, the new House could also put campaigns on the national news agenda. It would meet on a
Friday (when the House of Commons and the Lords rarely sit), giving the House of Campaigns a monopoly on parliamentary reporting. 

The House of Campaigns may not be able to have the same impact on every occasion – but you do not
need to spend much time with Britain’s campaigners to know that many could make headlines and change minds, if only they were given the opportunity. The House of Campaigns would give them their chance.

The House of Campaigns would lead to better-informed and more responsive government. It would give grassroots campaigns the sort of influence that is currently the preserve of expensive lobbyists. It would make parliament more representative.  

The Big Issue is supporting the House of Campaigns. This is a growing initiative for a new chamber that would give a voice to many who feel left behind. It is time for a House of Campaigns.

Richard Ellis is a lawyer and is coordinating efforts to promote the House of Campaigns.
Email Richard Ellis here if you would like to take part.

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