Free Thinkers - Nottingham

This month, we are fortunate to have Neil Petrie lead the discussion on the topic of Direct Democracy.

Direct Democracy has been used in Switzerland since the federation was established in 1848. It literally allows citizens to influence policies that directly involve their communities.

Important government legislation can be outsourced to the wider electorate, using a series of referendums. This ultimately means that voters can decide on which acts are approved and then passed by Parliament.

To get some idea of how successful DD is, the Swiss government has a 65% approval rating. The average is less than 30%.

Neil Petrie represents a group called Direct Democracy, details at www.ddrightnow.com. Direct Democracy is advocating electoral change in the UK based on the principles of the aforementioned Swiss system.

Alongside this, Direct Democracy also supports a digital Blockchain system. Each individual voter is issued with a unique identification number (akin to Bitcoin for politics), and then every vote that is added to the block can not be neither manipulated nor deleted. There are many people now saying that the traditional paper ballots are easily rigged. Blockchain voting is said to be successful in preventing fraud at this level.

Direct Democracy has several members who have lived in Switzerland for several years themselves, and therefore, they have become advocates of political change in the UK, hoping to promote a similar system.

The group is becoming successful as a political force and has even fielded several candidates at the local elections in May, with growing enthusiasm.

So join us for a fact filled and free event (it will only cost the price of a drink at the bar downstairs). We are a friendly bunch and value everyone's opinion. All's we ask is that you also respect everyone else's and refrain from any abusive language.

Look forward to debating/discussing this with everyone.

A number of companies – led by US giants such as Google and Amazon, but closely followed by UK businesses like BT, are rolling back DEI initiatives, and a number of parties now have manifesto commitments to scrap DEI posts, particularly in our public services. If you find DEI/EDI to be problematic, will these initiatives rid the UK of this ideology? Would this be progressive, or perhaps regressive?

Hilary Salt will discuss the need to look beyond the "diversity industry" if we want to understand why these initiatives have taken hold in the UK and why it’s simplistic to think that sacking DEI officers alone will make a difference.

The Public Sector Equality Duty, the Companies Act, The Equality Act and Gender Pay Gap requirements all contain provisions that push this agenda. According to Hilary, we need to unpick these requirements to get a better understanding of how to tackle the "DEI industrial complex." She will look at these requirements using some everyday examples and offer real-world solutions.

Hilary Salt is an actuary and business leader. She was a founding partner of First Actuarial plc where she advised employers, pension scheme trustees and trade unions. She is also a public speaker and has spoken at many local and national events and conferences.

So join us for another interesting discussion/debate where all opinions are welcome, and we only ask that you respect the opinions of others.

This event is free of charge under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic beverages are included).

Look forward to debating with everyone.