What's happened
Labour's consideration of citizens' assemblies for contentious decisions causes debate
Why it matters
The proposal has sparked controversy and debate about the effectiveness and implications of citizens' assemblies in decision-making processes.
What the papers say
The Telegraph criticizes the idea as 'stupid', while The Times presents contrasting views, highlighting the success of citizens' assemblies in other countries and the potential benefits of involving ordinary people in decision-making processes.
How we got here
Sue Gray, Keir Starmer's chief of staff, proposed the idea, citing the success of citizens' assemblies in Ireland in addressing contentious issues such as abortion and gay marriage.
More on these topics
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The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Sue Gray is a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, working for government. She currently serves as the Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office.