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SCOTLAND’s first Citizens’ Assembly has been described as a “blueprint for democratic participation” after it published its vision of the country’s future. That vision was outlined yesterday by convener Kate Wimpress, revealing its 60 recommendations, which told “the story of the journey that we’ve travelled together” to deliver it. Their proposals – which will be discussed by the Scottish Government – are far-reaching, covering subjects as diverse as increasing the national minimum wage for those aged between 18 and 24 to a national living wage; the abolition of zero-hours contracts; lowering the state pension age and calling for Scotland to be the first country in the world to ban the unnecessary use of non-biodegradable products. ....
Many ideas in its report, Doing Politics Differently, amount to a rebuke of Holyrood s political class. The Assembly recommended a “house of citizens”, effectively an unelected second Holyrood chamber, should in future “scrutinise government proposals and give assent to parliamentary Bills”. There should also be a randomly-selected Citizens committee at Holyrood to “offer advice and opinions on government proposals and “hold the government to account”. Other ideas included ways to hold politicians to account, and make them put the interests of their constituents ahead of party interests. To stop backsliding on policy delivery, the government and parliament should “be held accountable and consequences in place when goals are not met”. ....