Reform UK’s Richard Tice has advocated a move towards direct democracy, something his colleague Nigel Farage is known to support. On this occasion, Tice has been talking about criminal justice. The Reform deputy this week proposed a new law allowing members of the public a say over whether they think criminal sentences are too harsh or too lenient.
Mirroring Switzerland’s signature-gathering to challenge bad laws and push new policies, Tice wants a policy whereby if 500 members of the public disagree with a sentence in a petition to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), it would have to decide whether to refer the decision to a court.
Tice told MPs “maybe the public would have ever more confidence in a vibrant democracy, in our justice system, if it was like a system of treble-check safeguard of the sentences, without being able to impinge on the original judgement that was following a case.” While not a concrete example of direct democracy, Tice’s idea is certainly in a similar vein. Reform boss Farage is on record championing the Swiss system of public participation.
The Swiss still have MPs, but an optional referendum launched by 50,000 signatures can oppose a law adopted by the government and parliament. Meanwhile 100,000 gathered signatures can trigger a citizens’ initiative. Imagine how different the UK would be today if the country had enjoyed such a system of direct democracy. It would certainly fit with Reform’s anti-elitism, populism and handing power back into public hands.
Tice was hugely responsible for Reform’s stellar rise in the run-up to the 2024 election, having served as leader and supported the party financially. His support for public participation in any aspect of the democratic process is more than welcome. No doubt Tice’s ideas will be rebuffed this time around. But the polls don’t lie. Reform is on the rise and – as things stand – is set to form the next government of the UK.
One can only hope if and when that happens direct democracy is finally delivered to the British people and more power put in their hands.