New ways needed to 'revitalise' democracy: Blunkett

Speaking at a conference in London today, Home Secretary Mr Blunkett called for new ways to "revitalise our democracy" and to find new ways of positively linking government to the governed.

The Home Secretary told the Democracy & Participation Programme Key Findings and Policy Implications Conference, in Great George Street, London, that this vision of civil renewal needed to be at the heart of the government's future agenda.

Mr Blunkett welcomed recent Economic and Social Research Council Democracy research that looked at these themes, but also challenged the academic community to "continue to take part in developing achievable civil renewal policies for civil renewal and greater participation".

Building on themes outlined in his Edith Kahn Memorial lecture, Mr Blunkett said: "Civil Renewal provides a far reaching reform agenda - one that needs to be at the heart of future Government policy. The government must continue to fundamentally redefine its relationship with the people it serves, and empower communities and boost active citizenship.

"We are truly free when we act together as members of a community to shape our own lives. That is what real democracy is all about – the participation of citizens in the society in which they live, with an enabling state providing the resources, legislation, framework and accumulation of assets and capacity building, to equalise the chance of this becoming a reality for those without wealth or access to sources of personal advancement."

The Home Secretary also announced that £1 million will be available to set up a new Centre for Active Citizenship which would to operate as a consortium of organisations, university departments and think tanks.

(gmcg)