There is reasonably unprecented apathy towards our political system - trust and confidence is at a record low. As many as 58%, a record high, say they ‘almost never’ trust ‘politicians of any party in Britain to tell the truth when they are in a tight corner’. The rise in populism did not happen overnight and is a symptom of things not working. We can not sit on our hands. As a young person, our future is at stake.

The scope for new structures in political parties to democratise them, make them public-orientated:

Reforming the political party, fit for the modern age:

Essentially, direct democracy and decentralisation of policy-making to get citizens involved. Particularly on a case-by-case basis digitally through an online portal, forums, and an open, live manifesto that could be edited upon approval by the public.

For the political homeless:

A hypothetical party based on economic democracy (workers' co-operatives), civic nationalism (not jingoism or divisiveness, but based on pride in place, togetherness), and also humanism (especially with the rise of AI and existential crises like climate change).

From what I have read, although this will always differ based on different surveys, I believe that the majority of the British public think:

• income inequality has increased profoundly (lean towards economic democracy)
• focus on British industries, end to offshoring and outsourcing, social cohesion and interconnectedness based on shared values (civic nationalism)
• respect to human rights, liberal-based rules order, social liberalism advocated

What do you think? I think it's worth at least having a conversation about how to improve the democratic deficit in our country.