A rough definition of a participative democracy would be one where citizens take on greater responsibility for decision making. This would not reduce the need for representative institutions, far less central Government—we are not heading back to Athens—but it would mean that public participation amounts to a lot more than periodic elections. When observing the public mood on polling day, most are struck by the solemn tone; it is not a time of carnival. It is this reservoir of purpose that we need to tap: active participation and active citizenship renewing our democratic institutions.

In Wales, we might go further and constitute a citizens' chamber of this Assembly. This would not require 60 members of the public to serve full-time for five years—that would be a burden and not an act of citizen service. [Laughter.] Citizen service should be a general obligation that is occasionally called upon, as jury service is now. The citizens' chamber could be a pool of 600 or even 6,000 citizens, called on occasionally. Each citizen would be allocated specific tasks that interest them and concentrate on a particular part of governmental activity and then, when that area's discussed, they would meet as part of the Assembly.

The citizens’ chamber could also lead the way in developing a digital democracy. Through online surveys and other mechanisms, a wider range of public participation would be possible, perhaps providing material for the citizens’ chamber to deliberate and develop in more detail. Such work would need to be transparent and the main outcomes evidence based and properly recorded. Draft laws, or ideas for laws, could then be fed into the National Assembly, which would become, in a very modern guise, a bicameral institution. Forget the House of Lords; we could do something really marvellous with citizens as our members. There are, of course, other models for citizens’ assemblies, but what is clear is the need for this wide engagement, if we are to forge a new democratic bond between citizen and politician.

Democracy also needs to go deep and draw on the strength that we have in the roots of communities. Again, the digital revolution offers opportunities for local networks of participation, discussion and decision making. Town and community councils are well placed to develop their role as the voice of the community. Larger town councils might consider establishing the office of an elected mayor. The councils themselves could be made up of directly elected councillors and randomly selected citizens, serving a term as part of their public service obligation. Invigorating the most local level of democracy would also help to refresh municipal government in general. Other public agencies, like NHS trusts, could also use this source of public participation.

Deputy Presiding Officer, representational democracy thrived on the excitement of electing society’s leaders; it was an incredible transformation away from aristocratic Government in the nineteenth century, but it also made the people sovereign only for a day and limited the opportunities for deeper participation. A desire to take back control could indicate that citizens are ready to carry greater responsibility for decision making.

This does not mean that most people want to become part-time politicians, but it does mean that we can explore the concept of citizen service on the basis that jury service underpins our legal system. We should not exaggerate the time commitment involved in service. It would range from full-time for a short time—a citizens’ jury on the development of a local amenity, for instance—to part-time for a longer time—a day a month for two years or so in the citizens’ assembly, perhaps.

We will only live in a participatory democracy when citizen engagement focuses on decision making as much as the gathering of public opinion through traditional consultation processes. In Wales, we have an opportunity to lead the way. We enjoy the benefits of both a new and a small democracy. If we are able to innovate, then the power of the parliamentary tradition that we have inherited could be magnified by the force of active citizenship. Alongside the Welsh Government’s legislative programme, we could see published a gwerin’s programme to be discussed in the citizens’ chamber of the National Assembly.

Deputy Presiding Officer, democracy is not sick and feeble, but it does need rejuvenating. Today, the greatest act of political leadership would be to enhance the energy of citizenship. This is the purpose of my Bill.