North Devon hosts democracy repair shop

People from all political persuasions are being invited to attend a ‘democracy repair shop’ later this month in South Molton.

Compass North Devon wants to bring people and organisations together who want to see a bright political, social and economic future.

The event in South Molton’s Assembly Rooms will feature speakers – the Times columnist Alice Thomson and former North Devon Liberal Democrat MP Sir Nick Harvey.

Discussion will range from how politicians are elected and the limits within which elected leaders can act, to new economic models, such as the future of food.

The centre-left pressure group Compass, which claims to have “the widest range of voices in the progressive movement” is welcoming cross-party and no-party members to the North Devon event, which will be chaired by Lynton and Lynmouth Independent district councillor John Patrinos.

Compass says its aims are to “work within local communities to build a good society that works for all citizens and is fair, inclusive and sustainable.”

It campaigns for proportional representation, an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them, and encourages all local political parties to work together.

The all-day event is on Saturday 27 April.