Facing up to tomorrow

EMPOWERING citizens is being seen in some circles as the next necessary shift in politics. A move from state control, although not dismantling it in the way some on the right would, but also away from the emphasis on the individual, two doctrines that have battled for supremacy over the past decades.

It is seen as a way of tackling apathy in politics, turning the tide of falling turnouts and disenchantment in the process, which has come at the same time as there has been a rise in activism and volunteering – an indication that people care but no longer want to use traditional channels which they see as ineffective.

The empowerment paradigm shift is being advocated by Labour's Alan Milburn, but it comes at an apt time for politics in Guernsey.

Guernsey Tomorrow is being trumpeted from the top but is designed to be all about bottom-up politics.

A direct line for citizens to speak to government and indicate whether it is going in the right direction.

It is a laudable exercise, strikingly similar to something that has happened in Jersey already and one that so far has thrown up few surprises.

The need to expand energy resources to include renewables, a desire to tackle derelict greenhouse sites, tackling the waste problem in progressive ways have all come up at the first Guernsey Tomorrow workshop of 60 invited guests.

These people, picked from local NGOs of all sizes now have to take the workshop process back to their own organisations, so that the feedback can be returned to the centre.

And this is where one of the challenges lies – will people engage now the reins are off – and, indeed, will all who want to get the opportunity? And then what?

It is a process that in a way comes up with policy directions, but not solutions based in the harsh concrete reality of the day.

Although that is the beauty of it, people can come at issues with idealism and none of the entrenched, ingrained baggage years of being in the States brings – it is also the weakness.

Why get engaged if you do not see results – and, indeed, how will they be monitored?

In Porte Alegre, Brazil, the concept of participatory budgeting was born and has since been implemented around Latin America and some European cities.

It empowers and engages even the poorest and most disenfranchised in planning how a region will spend its money.

Now this really is bottom-up government, a system that has done away with the concept that there is information citizens cannot be trusted with or just are not responsible enough to use.

Back to Guernsey and there is a certain amount of discontent among deputies that they were locked out of the first Guernsey Tomorrow consultation – well, all that is except Chief Minster Lyndon Trott who opened it and then left and Deputy Chief Minister Bernard Flouquet who sat in a corner observing.

Some people argue that politicians have been elected to do this kind of thinking, but that would be a narrow-minded outlook and one that dissolves the responsibility everyone has.

But look again at the list of invited guests – which I'm told was scaled down from the original intentions.

Remember, that in an apolitical process there were at least three former deputies in the room and other unsuccessful candidates.

This is not to say they should not have been there, but what it highlights is the 'same old talking heads' syndrome.

Who was missing, or at least under-represented, when compared to environmental groups and business leaders?

Well, the people that are not already engaged in the process, the working class, single mums, the young, the very people that government is trying to help or needs to get involved.

Those running Guernsey Tomorrow, which is being designed to feed into the strategic land use plan and at pains to offer their help to anyone who wants to take part.

They are handing out packs, which will help with venues and bring together groups if there are not enough people.

'We're working very closely with Education in getting this into schools and doing some work with the youth forum to get the young people involved, which is critical,' said David Twigg.

'We're looking at taking the model into some of the larger work places, which is something we have to develop further. We haven't approached any yet, but if workplaces are interested we will be happy to help with that.'

Individuals can send in their thoughts through the website or contact staff at Frossard House.

Deputy Flouquet said that other initiatives will come out in the next few weeks so the phrase, Guernsey Tomorrow, is on people's lips.

'We want people to see what this is all about, be inquisitive, go forward and find the information. One thing with this process, and I fully appreciate how they staff are approaching this, is people have the chance to engage totally unfettered by political input or direction.'

He added that the States does not hold a monopoly on good ideas for the future.

'That's why we're engaging with the population of Guernsey as much as we can.'

Mr Milburn says that the state needs to be there to act when individuals cannot, citing issues like economic uncertainty and security. But progress in the future depends on sharing responsibly with citizens, so that they can become insiders, not outsiders, he said.

Is Guernsey Tomorrow the first step along the way? Probably, but it is a small one.

Those at the top need to remember it is not just about consultation, but active involvement – something in theory seen in things like the Guernsey Recycling Advisory Forum and People's Panel on Waste set up in the last term by Public Services.

But the panel has been dissolved in a cloud with discontent among those taking part who feel they were not listened to by the department.

And there lies another danger. Do not engage people and then ignore the results, or be perceived to. If ever there was a way of alienating the public and breeding discontent that is it.

If you ask the question you had better be prepared for an answer you do not like.