Public spending has grown fortyfold since the start of the 20th century and no new mechanisms have been introduced to oversee this. We can: address the democratic deficit; increase accountability and control over government; update democracy for the digital age, applying time-honoured democratic principles with new technology; directly mandate policies, not political parties; and make the civil service more efficient by attaching budgets to policies, not time periods.

During the 2014 independence referendum campaign, during the last few days, the UK Government effectively changed the terms of the referendum by offering new powers to the people of Scotland if they voted no. This effectively changed the question from a yes/no question, to a yes/more powers question, therefore it is unclear what the result may have been, had the UK Government played fair. One of the primary arguments in 2014, was that in order to remain a member of the European Union, Scots had to vote no to independence. However since then, the UK Government have held a referendum on EU membership, and despite 62% of people in Scotland voting to remain in the EU, our sovereign nation is being dragged out of the EU anyway. The people of Scotland deserve better. While a second class state, as a part of the United Kingdom, Scotland's voice is smaller. There are 533 English MPs in Westminster and only 59 Scottish MPs. Scotland's voice is therefore drowned out constitutionally in the UK Parliament. The Claim of Right 1989, states that the people of Scotland are sovereign, therefore the sovereignty of the people of Scotland is incompatible with the UK system, which has a hereditary head of state, and unelected Lords and Ladies ruling over us, and the majority of the MPs in Westminster were not voted for by the people of Scotland, but by the people of a foreign country. Scotland's economic capabilities are in a stranglehold whilst a part of the UK. Our economic potential is massive, when you compare other countries in the world with far less natural resources and industry than Scotland, yet their people are suffering from less poverty, and their countries are more fair for the 99%. It is clear that Scotland would do things differently if we were to be an independent country. For example, all but one Scottish MP voted against the renewal of Trident, the nuclear deterrent, but Scotland's voice was over ruled by the representatives of a foreign country. If this were truly an equal union, then Scotland would have the power to veto our involvement in things that we do not agree with.

Asda released a statement less than a week before the referendum on Scottish independence stating prices will rise in an independent Scotland. This clearly will have affected how people voted and I would suspect more so among pensioners many of whom are vulnerable. It is important that corporate businesses do not use their position to influence the public by making statements intended to affect the outcome of a democratic vote. Andy Clarke should apologise for releasing a statement intended to affect the outcome of the referendum on Scottish independence and give assurance that Asda will never publicise another statement which is likely to affect the outcome of the democratic process. Andy Clarke will be presented with the choice, admit that you had no justification in what you said on behalf of Asda or watch the power of social media take you down.

During the recent referendum in Scotland all 16 and 17 year olds were given the vote . They were very enthusiastic taking part in the campaign .As well as voting in large numbers. We have a general election next year.It is wrong to tell people that you were old enough to help decide the future of Scotland but you are to young to decide who should represent you at Westminster.I believe that the vote should be extended to ALL 16 year olds.

Alex Salmond has chosen to step down as the First Minister of Scotland announcing this hours after Scotland's Independence Referendum. Regardless of whether you voted "yes" or "no", this is the man who fought and won us the chance to decide our future and Scotland's future. Scotland needs a leader like him for the future to keep making sure we get to choose how our country is run so please sign the petition and ask him to stay!

Advantages: Would reduce... north/south divide City influence SE housing pressure SE transport congestion & need for new runway The need for HS2? Housing benefits/high London rents and make parliament physically less distant, more accessible boost the economy outside London Drawbacks? cost (probably neutral) reduce SE housing price bubbles upheaval for MP's and civil servants London no longer the capital (but still tourist attraction)

Privatised energy has failed citizens. For evidence please see: www.weownit.org.uk/evidence/energy Meanwhile, the Referendum on Independence has created an inspiring re-engagement in politics across Scotland and some brilliant ideas about what sort of society we should work together to create. Now that all the drama is finally over, it is essential we keep the pressure up and utilise the 'new powers' to make these ideas a reality. New books such as 'Common Weal' (2014) and 'Yes: The Radical Case for Scottish Independence' (2014) both foreground the need for the Democratic Public Ownership of our essential services and infrastructure, in order to move towards a green economy and a more just society. Therefore, this petition has been created alongside another to the Minister for Transport demanding the Public Ownership of Scotland’s Railway. Please sign both and share the links below to help spread the word: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/publicrailwayscotland https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/publicenergyscotland This petition is supported by: http://www.bringbackbritishrail.org/images/pftp_supporters.png To add your organisation to this list, please use the 'Contact User' button above.

Approximately 4,000 new cases of cancer in children and young adults are diagnosed in the UK each year. Be Child Cancer Aware, a parent led and run charity has already sent out millions of signs and symptoms awareness cards with the result that a number of families have received an early diagnosis. Ben's diagnosis is featured on their website. We ask the UK government to officially support this campaign to empower parents with the knowledge that might save the life of a child they know or love. The charity Be Child Cancer Aware introduced and has been successfully leading this awareness campaign for over 4 years without any official support. They now look to the government to recognise the importance of knowing the main signs and symptoms of all childhood cancers.

The right of self-determination is an essential part of british society and is important for the longetivity of peace and prosperity. It also furthers british values of fairness, equality, reasonability and justice.

We are better together and diminished apart

The Hunting Act is in urgent need of strengthening, to enable the authorities to clamp down on illegal hunting. At present, hunts can escape prosecution – and nearly always do - by cynically claiming their pursuit and killing of a hunted animal was “unintentional”. This nonsense is enabling hunts to carry on as if there were no ban at all. Over 80% of the British public support the ban, but hunters appear to believe they are above the law. 50,000 hunters signed a Declaration before the ban came into force stating they would defy it, and continue to hunt as before, thus displaying their total contempt for democracy. REIN IN THE HUNTERS – STRENGTHEN THE HUNTING ACT

At Fineshade Woods in Northamptonshire, Forest Holidays are planning to erect 70 deluxe timber lodges with ancillary accommodation, plus a new road, within the woods against the wishes of all the local Parish Councils and with over 200 objections raised. Authoritative organisations such as the Wildlife Trust the Council’s advisors, RSPB, badger groups, bat groups, butterfly organisations and ecologists of many hues have all objected but their views appear to be being ignored by the local planning authority. Requests for at least an Environmental Impact Assessment have been rejected out of hand with statements that there will be no significant environmental damage when 40+ hectares of semi ancient woodland on a Local Wildlife Site that is subject of an application to be considered as a potential SSSI are subject to development. At nine other Forests in the UK and with at least two further planning applications in the pipeline as well planning applications for additional chalets in existing projects, Forest Holidays appear to be being given Carte Blanche to take possession of public Forests and convert them into a private business; they are supported by Lloyds Development Capital and the Forestry Commission. In Feb 2011 the “save our forests” campaign was considered to be over when the Government said the forests would not be privatised. The Forestry Commission and Directors of Forest Holidays and their financial backers appear to have reversed this policy by taking possession of public forests on 125 year leases and using that natural resource for their personal gain. This must be against the stated policy of the current Government and against the wishes of the 700,000 people who voted supporting the original save our Forest campaign.