IN 2014, two professors analysed 1,799 policy issues in the US. They found that, “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a miniscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.”

We know that a whopping 88 per cent of Britons don’t trust political parties. Not least because governments respond to the demands of big money over individual citizens.

Wes Streeting increased NHS privatisation despite it being hugely unpopular. It makes no electoral sense. Until you check the register of donors, and find he accepted £372,000 from private healthcare companies. We have no idea what additional deals have been done for this future. Alan Milburn has made millions since retiring as health secretary. The list is long and nefarious. Tony Blair pimping himself out for global oil firms is just his latest outing.

“When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites or with organised interests, they generally lose,” said the research.  Or put another way, that’s what class struggle is.

But simply saying, “it’s the class struggle” is not persuasive. It sounds too close to “they’re all the same.” We need a message of hope, not resignation. People act when they feel powerful, not powerless.

Social power is the ability of a community to have its demands met. Our social power is different from theirs. The Establishment get their demands met by splashing the cash. Owning newspapers, buying politicians, paying lobbyists, funding Tufton Street think tanks. Our social power comes from motivating people. Organising campaigns and networking people. Political education and community organising to build our capacity. Majority, the movement we’ve built, runs training courses, book groups and film clubs.

Social power had changed since the red flag waved above our infant might. The state was the people who conscripted your son or broke up your strike. Now the state is more likely to be the people who educate your kids or look after your granny. And fail to fix the potholes knackering your suspension. People care about these things.

We’ve seen a resurgence of trade unionism rising to challenge austerity and pay erosion. Nurses, doctors, teachers, university workers, civil servants, transport workers and others are all engaged in industrial struggles. With some victories. But patients, passengers and tenants are less organised. Despite the good work of campaigners like We Own It, and activist renters’ unions, most people wait until an election to express their frustration. Many think voting is pointless.

That’s where citizens’ manifestos come in. The message is clear and obvious: you get a say. The idea is as old as democracy itself. But in an era of Westminster bubbles and political pantomime, it’s fresh and relevant.

In Newcastle on Sunday May 18 we’re developing a people’s manifesto for the 2026 local elections, with the support of Assemble. Hundreds have already registered — we should probably have booked a bigger room!

There are some ground rules — it is a progressive movement. Explicitly anti-racist and anti-discrimination. But whether people want to campaign to end global tax-dodging or save their local park, it’s their choice. Winning a campaign to save your local school won’t transform the world. But it will transform those involved. And it will save the school. For a while.

Nothing is more empowering than the freedom to choose your own destiny. It encourages participation like nothing else. And when backed with solidarity, and a good, solid plan, it turns anger into action.

Last year’s mayoral election was across a huge area. In the city of Newcastle alone, we polled 25,000 votes to Labour’s 26,000. Their vote has since collapsed. In May 2026 there are all out city council elections. We’re bringing together food poverty campaigners, public transport users, housing campaigners. We’ll field an alliance of progressives in every seat, and aim to win control of the council. We’re training candidates, so they know how to implement the manifesto when we win.    

This is how a new movement will be built. We’ve had lots of left parties that have defined themselves by what they are against.  We need to say what we are for. And how we will do it.    

A movement built on social power, not resolutions. One with a mass base. I’m speaking to people right across the country.  People are up for this. MPs, councillors, trade unionists, activists, and most of all, citizens who just want a better world. We’ll network, learn, inspire and support each other.

Is radical democracy the same as a left party? In any sane political system ending child poverty would be economic common sense. A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. I’ve run citizens’ assemblies. When given evidence and time to deliberate, citizens agree progressive policies.

Better housing leads to better health. Public transport builds prosperity and tackles the climate emergency. Whatever you call it, it’s common sense.    

We need that final link in the chain. An electoral vehicle to protect and enhance all the gains made through social and industrial struggle. Because the people’s party founded by Keir Hardie is now a pro-genocide, pro-billionaire neoliberal party under Keir Starmer. And if we don’t fill the void, the fascists will.