In principle the right to citizens’ referendum implies the introduction of partial direct democracy and the acknowledgment of electoral sovereignty in governance. However, the Con/Libdem coalition has avoided going so far — they declare that the result of a citizens’ referendum will not be legally binding on the local authority. Realising that their efforts could be wasted, citizens may refrain from using the referendum tool at all.

With an effective citizens’ referendum which can lead to a binding decision, many of the worthy causes mentioned in Bob Colenutt’s article could be tackled or assisted by “local people”.

Pressure should be put on the Coalition and Mr. Pickles to improve the proposed referendum rules and so too the quality of local democracy in their Bill.