Sovereignty is a new political framework designed to produce accountable politicians and a responsive political process. It can transform the landscape of politics in the UK and elsewhere by irrevocably returning Sovereignty to the people. 

Sovereignty is based on a model of politics that builds on the esteemed traditions of democracy that we have evolved in the UK but which shifts focus from political parties and broad party agendas by operationalising accountability of those in Ministerial positions. 

Whilst introducing elements of direct democracy, Sovereignty seeks to conserve advantageous features of Representative Democracy. 

Introducing Sovereignty  &  how it works

Sovereignty can be introduced by a group of MPs and/or candidates who form a Sovereignty Alliance; meaning they are committed to introducing the Sovereignty system of governance. 

Once a Sovereignty Alliance gains an electoral majority, they can pass a Sovereignty Act which introduces the Sovereignty electoral system and framework for governance. Here's how Sovereignty works:

• Elections: Every election cycle, the electorate vote for 

  • A Prime Minister responsible for Defence and Foreign Affairs

  • Representative Ministers (RMs) who become solely responsible for their respective government departments, such as Health, Education, Transport, Justice, Immigration etc. Each RM Candidate campaigns on a platform detailing their policy, goals, budget requirements, and the associated tax cost: offering voters clear, costed issue-specific choices. RM Candidates could potentially run for multiple related positions, reflecting the interconnectedness of certain issues, like Education and Business.

  • Local Representatives (LRs), representing individual constituencies, with one representative per constituency. 

• Governance: RMs run their department according to the policy and budgetary commitments - and collect tax from citizens - as set out in their election manifesto, or contract.  

• Recalls & Accountability: If voters are dissatisfied with an RM's performance or adherence to promised policies, they have the power to recall the minister through a petition, ensuring continuous accountability. Recall petitions can take place through the online government portal and can only be signed by verified voters. If Recall petition reaches a threshold of 25% of the electorate they result in a suspension of the RM's legislative (but not administrative) powers until a Recall election is held. Recalled RMs can stand again at the Recall election. If the Recall Petition reaches more than 50% of the Electorate, the Monarch may dissolve the RM, leaving the PM to appoint an interim administrative RM to be replaced at the Recall Election with an elected RM.  The RM may always stand for re-election, unless prohibited by law. 

• Legislation: 

  • A Representative Minister (RM) can put forward legislation relevant to their domain(s). 

  • Legislative power can then be structured so that the relevant RM's vote counts for 30%, all other RMs combined 20%, Local Representatives (LRs) 25%, and direct (electorate) votes 25%. So, for example, legislation could pass with the RM's vote (30%) and the direct vote (25%) even if all other RMs and LRs voted against the legislation. 

  • A special adjudication body determines if an RM can put forward legislation on their own, because the legislation only affects their jurisdiction, or whether the legislation must be put forward together with other RMs. If two or more RMs of different government departments put forward legislation that relate to their respective domains, the weight of their combined vote remains at 30%, except if the legislation is put forward by half or more of all the RMs, in which case their combined vote counts for 40%.  If the RM putting forward legislation is responsible for more than one domain their vote weight remains at 30%. 

  • See a more detailed description of Sovereignty's legislative process within the UK context here

• Direct Democracy: the Sovereignty Act will establish regular direct voting days, e.g. every four months, where direct votes on legislation or recalls of RMs can occur through a paper ballot. 

• Policy Development: Utilising online deliberative spaces, a Sovereignty Act will institutionalise grassroots involvement in identifying issues, solutions and shaping legislation as well as potential leaders to be elected as RMs. These platforms will be required to use the most secure technologies available for user verification, interactions and (non binding but nevertheless public opinion shaping) votes/polls so that all web-based interactions on issues, initiatives and policy development takes place in a way that accurately reflects the electorate's interests.

Sovereignty will establish a more flexible, nimble, responsive, and participatory political system where policies are not just promises but actionable, trackable commitments. By focusing on issues rather than parties, Sovereignty will align political action with public needs, leading to more effective governance and higher voter engagement.

The Sovereignty Apparatus

Sovereignty Union: 

Anyone can join the Sovereignty Union. This is a way for citizens in the UK and elsewhere to come together to bring about Sovereignty. Coming soon. 

Sovereignty Accord: 

Individuals, including public figures, business leaders, academics, politicians and even political parties can become signatories to the Sovereignty Accord. Signing the Sovereignty Accord is a commitment to and a call for Sovereignty to be implemented. We will publish a draft for the Sovereignty Accord which will then be evolved with input from members of the Sovereignty Union. 

Sovereignty Alliance: 

A group of politicians running for government who are signatories to the legally binding Sovereignty Accord and who commit to collectively introduce Sovereignty via the Sovereignty Act. Once Sovereignty is introduced, groups of politicians - both RMs and LRs - may still run as an alliance, with the purpose of providing a clear choice for citizens, for example in terms of overall tax cost or a big national vision.  However, each elected RM remains directly accountable to the electorate. 

Sovereignty Act: 

Legislation that makes changes to the electoral system and introduces the Sovereignty system of government. Read an early DRAFT of the Sovereignty Act

Sovereignty Digital Platform:

Key to Sovereignty are digital platforms that will enable civil society to engage with issues at local, regional and national levels. Coming in good time. 

Sovereignty Academy: 

Educational initiatives or training programs for understanding and implementing the issue-based politics approach of Sovereignty, for citizens, public figures and politicians. Coming soon. 

Sovereignty: Departmental roles

Prime Minister: 

• National Defence and National Security 

• Foreign Policy: international representation, including appointment of foreign ambassadors. Though cannot ratify international agreements which are within the remit of the RM for the Department of Globalisation.  

• Crisis Management and Emergency Powers: Leading the response to unexpected national crises where immediate, high-level coordination is needed across all government sectors.

• Inter-departmental Coordination: While RMs have autonomy in their Department, the Prime Minister will be responsible for ensuring departments work synergistically when issues overlap. The PM also can introduce legislation to add or eliminate government departments.  

Globalisation Department 

Sole responsibility for supra-national legislation/agreements/treaties that are binding upon the State or on citizens of the nation state, such as the WHO, EU, UN etc.  

Chancellor of the Exchequer / Treasury

Whilst each government department will have its own budget and tax regime, the Treasury/Exchequer will coordinate income and expenditure on behalf of Departments of State. After a General election, RMs would negotiate their budgetary needs with each other and with the Chancellor of the Exchequer following which the Chancellor publishes drafts for the Charter of Budgetary Responsibility and Finance Bill. Learn more about how budgeting works under Sovereignty.

All other departments 

All other departments present and future will broadly operate as they currently do except that, under a Sovereignty System of Government, the RM elected to head the department will be able to independently set its budget and associated tax cost payable by the taxpayer.  

New Government Departments

The public have the right to petition for a new government department which would require consideration in Parliament as well as a vote if public demand was high. The petition thresholds for a petition to require a Parliamentary Debate, or a Debate+Vote would be set out in the Sovereignty Act. This would result in legislation being authored via the Prime Ministers office. In addition, the Prime Minister has the authority to introduce legislation to add, eliminate or combine government departments, which would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny and RM, LR and Direct votes as usual.  However, where legislation is designed to eliminate or combine Departments, the RMs responsible for those departments must be co-authors of the legislation.