Allow A the people to have their say

RIGHT now, there has never been a more urgent need for the people of Wales to come together to have a say in their future.

Yet the Welsh Government Covid-19 recovery strategy continues to be developed behind closed doors by an external advisory panel. The only opportunity provided by the Government for citizens to feed into that process is by a poorly publicised email address. Yet, the pandemic has shown that communities want to continue to work together for a better future.

Extinction Rebellion has, from the beginning, lobbied for a citizens’ assembly, a fairer political system which provides a representative group of citizens an opportunity to learn about and discuss important issues and agree recommendations about what they think should happen.

Despite the Labour Party draft Environment Policy Paper for the Welsh elections in 2021, including a clear statement supporting the creation of a citizens’ assembly to address the climate and ecological emergency, Labour is curiously opposing Plaid Cymru’s proposal to commission a citizens’ assembly to “build back better” – a term widely used to signify the link between the economic and health recovery post-Covid and the absolutely crucial need to create a decarbonised and ecologically repaired world.

This lack of support is particularly odd given the aspirations set out in the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Yet the citizens’ assembly model sits well with Wales’ recent sign-up, alongside other progressive nations, to the Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership. Furthermore, Wales’ academic expertise provides the perfect environment for a successful citizens’ assembly, which we argue is a crucial tool to pave the way towards net zero carbon reduction and a green Covid-19 recovery.

However, it appears some sections of the Welsh Government continue to make decisions in complete denial of the devastating reality we are leaving for the next generation. Hence, we fear the output from the advisory panel will be top-down, business-as-usual and fail to fully address the climate and ecological emergency.

In fact, the Welsh Government already has a mandate for using citizens’ assemblies to involve the Welsh public in shaping their future. Last summer, 60 Welsh citizens came together in Newtown for the first citizens’ assembly in Wales, to mark the 20th anniversary of devolution.

When asked whether citizens’ assemblies should be used to involve the public in decisionmaking, a whopping 93% said they definitely (71.4%) or probably (21.4%) should be available.

Extinction Rebellion asks that Labour explain why it is opposed to the creation of a citizens’ assembly on a green recovery, which could alter the perception that the Covid-19 recovery strategy is being developed behind closed doors, particularly since it aligns so beautifully with aspirations to place the well-being of Wales’ citizens at the heart of Welsh political-decision making.

We call on all political parties of Wales to make a commitment to citizens’ assemblies, not only now but in their manifestos.

Clare James, on behalf of Extinction Rebellion Cymru