DEMOCRACY – what does it mean to you?
This was our question for people in Templars Square, Cowley.
When we set up the ODC a year ago our intention was to create a space for the people of Oxford to discuss democracy. So, for the first anniversary of the ODC we decided to do something different - a listening project in Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley.
With the permission of the centre management we set up two stalls, each with an ODC tablecloth, roll banner and leaflets summarising what we do. We also had a few flyers on citizens’ assemblies. The stalls were there from 10.30-11.30am. We limited the number of ODC listeners at each stall to five, with a couple more joining us for the final discussion/feedback session.
The centre does not allow people to walk around approaching customers, so we mostly waited for people to approach us. Not very many did! We were also keen not to be seen to be campaigning, nor infringing the roles of the city councillors. We found that smiling at people and asking how they were did however engage some. Altogether we spoke to about 22 people.
Conversations were varied; a few people noted their thoughts on post it notes which they then stuck on our roll banner. There were some interesting conversations:
⦁ A Barton resident was worried about representation and accountability with respect to the proposed building of over 1000 homes on nearby green belt land which was owned by the university. They appreciated the conversation.
⦁ A Nigerian from Headington with four children was shocked and disillusioned by the gap between politicians and people as UK is meant to be a shining example of democracy. Doesn't help when looking at violations of democracy in other places, like his home country, Nigeria. Didn't know who his local councillor was.
⦁ A Trade Union trainer working in schools saw trade unions having a place in this kind of debate and that there was a need to raise awareness of democracy and engagement in issues and decisions that affect people’s lives- including teachers and students. She also mentioned the School strike re climate emergency- inspiring- although commented that many of the pupils in the school she works in are not very politically aware. Need to start here.
⦁ An older Scotsman- coming from a working class background but disillusioned with politics and Brexit- was more inspired by the next generation, including his daughter who was more active. He said he tended to go for the personality, not the party. He didn't know who his local councillor was.
⦁ Two older men started by questioning whether we had democracy as the result of the referendum had not yet been implemented.
⦁ A young middle class man with children from this neighbourhood but now living outside Oxford – saw it really important to be raising these questions, particularly given the impact the current situation (Brexit, climate emergency) is going to have on his children. But disillusioned with current representative democracy. His MP is Conservative and voted against issues he feels passionate about. Welcomed the idea of citizens’ assembly
⦁ Two “elderly” [self identified] white women were interested but already worked within the community; one with Age Concern organising a computer course, and the other ran a cooking course. They both wanted to see proportional representation. They both liked their MP Anneliese Dodds.
Other comments included:
⦁ Your agenda, is it to unite the city or bring division? As a city we should focus on our vision 10-20 years from now. With that we should unite from the leadership down. That does not mean uniformity.
⦁ Need to come together on the issues that people care about, eg housing.
⦁ People come to your door at election time and expect you to listen to them – but they don’t come to listen to you. [Registered blind].
⦁ Local politicians need to engage in conversations like this. They need to make themselves more accessible.
⦁ Democracy is to enable people to have a voice.
⦁ HS2 – no consultation with local people whose local environment would be affected. Same applies to the Expressway.
⦁ We need more local decision making – decisions should be made at most local level possible, although some decisions, such as defence, have to be made nationally.
⦁ Proportional representation is worth looking at.
⦁ We need a system like they have in Germany, with regional powers.
⦁ A matriarchy is better … Men don’t deserve democracy because they mess everything up.
⦁ Need a ‘social assembly’.
This was our question for people in Templars Square, Cowley.
When we set up the ODC a year ago our intention was to create a space for the people of Oxford to discuss democracy. So, for the first anniversary of the ODC we decided to do something different - a listening project in Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley.
With the permission of the centre management we set up two stalls, each with an ODC tablecloth, roll banner and leaflets summarising what we do. We also had a few flyers on citizens’ assemblies. The stalls were there from 10.30-11.30am. We limited the number of ODC listeners at each stall to five, with a couple more joining us for the final discussion/feedback session.
The centre does not allow people to walk around approaching customers, so we mostly waited for people to approach us. Not very many did! We were also keen not to be seen to be campaigning, nor infringing the roles of the city councillors. We found that smiling at people and asking how they were did however engage some. Altogether we spoke to about 22 people.
Conversations were varied; a few people noted their thoughts on post it notes which they then stuck on our roll banner. There were some interesting conversations:
⦁ A Barton resident was worried about representation and accountability with respect to the proposed building of over 1000 homes on nearby green belt land which was owned by the university. They appreciated the conversation.
⦁ A Nigerian from Headington with four children was shocked and disillusioned by the gap between politicians and people as UK is meant to be a shining example of democracy. Doesn't help when looking at violations of democracy in other places, like his home country, Nigeria. Didn't know who his local councillor was.
⦁ A Trade Union trainer working in schools saw trade unions having a place in this kind of debate and that there was a need to raise awareness of democracy and engagement in issues and decisions that affect people’s lives- including teachers and students. She also mentioned the School strike re climate emergency- inspiring- although commented that many of the pupils in the school she works in are not very politically aware. Need to start here.
⦁ An older Scotsman- coming from a working class background but disillusioned with politics and Brexit- was more inspired by the next generation, including his daughter who was more active. He said he tended to go for the personality, not the party. He didn't know who his local councillor was.
⦁ Two older men started by questioning whether we had democracy as the result of the referendum had not yet been implemented.
⦁ A young middle class man with children from this neighbourhood but now living outside Oxford – saw it really important to be raising these questions, particularly given the impact the current situation (Brexit, climate emergency) is going to have on his children. But disillusioned with current representative democracy. His MP is Conservative and voted against issues he feels passionate about. Welcomed the idea of citizens’ assembly
⦁ Two “elderly” [self identified] white women were interested but already worked within the community; one with Age Concern organising a computer course, and the other ran a cooking course. They both wanted to see proportional representation. They both liked their MP Anneliese Dodds.
Other comments included:
⦁ Your agenda, is it to unite the city or bring division? As a city we should focus on our vision 10-20 years from now. With that we should unite from the leadership down. That does not mean uniformity.
⦁ Need to come together on the issues that people care about, eg housing.
⦁ People come to your door at election time and expect you to listen to them – but they don’t come to listen to you. [Registered blind].
⦁ Local politicians need to engage in conversations like this. They need to make themselves more accessible.
⦁ Democracy is to enable people to have a voice.
⦁ HS2 – no consultation with local people whose local environment would be affected. Same applies to the Expressway.
⦁ We need more local decision making – decisions should be made at most local level possible, although some decisions, such as defence, have to be made nationally.
⦁ Proportional representation is worth looking at.
⦁ We need a system like they have in Germany, with regional powers.
⦁ A matriarchy is better … Men don’t deserve democracy because they mess everything up.
⦁ Need a ‘social assembly’.
Reflection and learning
Issues:
People were not aware of the Oxford Citizens Assembly on the Climate Emergency, - but liked the idea. ‘Doing it for their grandkids’ is a way in with some older people. Important point to feed back to organisation of upcoming citizens assembly given the apparent lack of a comms strategy.
Generally there seemed to be a feeling that people needed to be represented better, and to get beyond party politics; they were too tribal. Politicians gave mixed messages – trust was broken.
Quite a lot of cynicism and disillusionment - people not feeling heard by those in power. For instance, one person in passing and refusing a leaflet said, “There’s no democracy anyhow”. Not good modelling for other countries.
Process:
It was difficult to engage people. We were careful not to approach anyone unless they looked interested. Many people were too busy or engaged with the people they were with to give any eye contact. But once you struck up a conversation, it was striking that people were eager to talk, so not to hold back too much.
We agreed that later would have been better – there were very few people around at first. Also fewer of us at our stall – too large a presence that could intimidate/put people off.
Striking that some did not know who their local councillors were- how much awareness raising is needed in how to engage locally both ways.
It was suggested that we have something to draw people in, possibly something to interest children so that we have an audience to engage in conversation. Juggler?
It was a good learning experience. We agreed we should do it again, later in the morning, nearer Christmas, so maybe the November Café. We will discuss it further at the next ODC.
With thanks to the management of Templars Square who were very helpful and friendly.
Issues:
People were not aware of the Oxford Citizens Assembly on the Climate Emergency, - but liked the idea. ‘Doing it for their grandkids’ is a way in with some older people. Important point to feed back to organisation of upcoming citizens assembly given the apparent lack of a comms strategy.
Generally there seemed to be a feeling that people needed to be represented better, and to get beyond party politics; they were too tribal. Politicians gave mixed messages – trust was broken.
Quite a lot of cynicism and disillusionment - people not feeling heard by those in power. For instance, one person in passing and refusing a leaflet said, “There’s no democracy anyhow”. Not good modelling for other countries.
Process:
It was difficult to engage people. We were careful not to approach anyone unless they looked interested. Many people were too busy or engaged with the people they were with to give any eye contact. But once you struck up a conversation, it was striking that people were eager to talk, so not to hold back too much.
We agreed that later would have been better – there were very few people around at first. Also fewer of us at our stall – too large a presence that could intimidate/put people off.
Striking that some did not know who their local councillors were- how much awareness raising is needed in how to engage locally both ways.
It was suggested that we have something to draw people in, possibly something to interest children so that we have an audience to engage in conversation. Juggler?
It was a good learning experience. We agreed we should do it again, later in the morning, nearer Christmas, so maybe the November Café. We will discuss it further at the next ODC.
With thanks to the management of Templars Square who were very helpful and friendly.