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Episode 76 – Putting differences aside to improve local democracy with Peter Macfadyen

Show Notes

Local activism and community engagement can lead to significant changes in local politics, but such change doesn’t come easy. A paucity of community engagement, a serious lack of trust, the need for diversity – these and many other issues can become barriers to change.
But this week’s guest, Peter Macfadyen, has proven that with perseverance, open communication, and a clear vision for positive change, these challenges can be overcome to create a more effective, participatory and community-driven local government.
Three reasons to listen
  • To gain insights into the power of local activism and community engagement in driving political change.
  • To discover the significance of grassroots movements, citizen empowerment, and challenging traditional political structures.
  • To learn about the transformative potential of creating a more democratic and effective local governance system.
Episode highlights
  • [00:07:41] British attitudes to death
  • [00:13:58] The story of Flatpack Democracy
  • [00:27:12] Mistakes made early on in the transition
  • [00:31:19] Establishing a lasting change
  • [00:37:10] Finding hope amid political division
  • [00:43:43] Bringing people together
  • [00:48:57] Don’t improve the system – build a new one
  • [00:50:40] Takeaways from Dan and Pia
Meet the guests
Peter Macfadyen (UK) is the author of Flatpack Democracy – a DIY guide to independent politics. He has worked in areas of social justice for 40 years. This has taken him into local politics, co-creating a new relationship between local government and the people as a councillor in Frome. Central to his belief is the need to move from a politics based on fear and confrontation to one of listening, empathy and co-operation. His work and lifestyle see humankind as a small part of the wider ecology and government as the blockage in facing the challenges we need to tackle.
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