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Now is the time for bold and visionary leaders and a bold party to propose a much-needed change to a not-fit-for-purpose system. With a General Election a year away and cynicism, fatigue and scepticism at an all-time high, the idea of direct democracy is being mooted by journalists such as Allister Heath in the Telegraph and successful business people like Hugh Osmond. They look across at the success of Switzerland, which is one of the wealthiest, happiest and healthiest countries in the world and wonder whether a Government that is more regularly made accountable to its people and is thereby more transparent might not be a template for a modern Britain. There is good precedent as the U.K. and its constituent countries have held 13 referenda since 1973. A democracy that is more direct, decentralised and devolved, where the more responsibility voters are given, the more responsibly they behave. The exact model that the U.K. should adopt will obviously have nuances best adapted to the size and structure of our parliamentary system. But let us take a look at the basics of the model as it exists in Switzerland at the moment to see where this ‘safety valve’ of public opinion could provide part of a solution to our political predicament.

“No country on earth is more democratic than Switzerland”, says David Altman, Uruguayan political scientist and direct democracy expert. “Here, each citizen can change each aspect of life. Of course not acting alone, but only if they belong to a group.” Switzerland successfully combines and integrates representative and direct democracy, which is no small feat. While it may be tempting to see the Swiss example as a tried and tested solution, there are naturally caveats, not least the requisite for a highly informed and participatory electorate, limiting the abuse of well-funded groups to advance their own agendas, and balancing individual sovereignty against the ‘tyranny of the majority’.

There are three main types of referendum and each has its place in a healthy direct democracy. They are: popular initiative, optional referendum and mandatory referendum.

Popular referendum initiatives are citizens’ proposals that currently in Switzerland require 100,000 signatures collected within a period of 18 months. These can be held up to four times a year. Any Swiss citizen who is eligible to vote can sign a popular initiative and a group of at least seven citizens (the initiative committee) can launch their own popular initiative.

The Federal Council and Parliament will each give a non-binding recommendation on whether the proposal should be accepted or rejected. For the proposal to be accepted a ‘double’ majority (that is, both a popular majority and a majority of states (cantons) in favour) is needed. If it is accepted, new legislation or an amendment to existing legislation is normally required to implement the referendum result.

Optional or ‘facultative’ referendums are for the purpose of rejecting (or confirming) a newly passed law. They require 50,000 valid signatures, collected within 100 days of the official publication of the new law or international agreement. A popular majority voting yes or no determines the fate of the new law. The right to request an optional referendum is an important element in Swiss direct democracy, not only for when it is used, but because for all new laws the prospect of a popular vote focuses the minds of the politicians and civil servants drafting the law as they know that there will be a guaranteed referendum if they don’t take the views prevalent within the population proactively into consideration.

Mandatory referendums are stipulated in law for certain major decisions, such as to revise the constitution, join an international organisation or introduce emergency federal legislation for over a year.

In addition, several Swiss cantons give citizens the right to recall their elected officials before the end of their term of office, a further safety valve and check on their use of power.

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