In response to the government consultation on the Bill of Rights: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1040409/human-rights-reform-consultation.pdf we have been considering our version of a Bill and also a Social Contract which might be put to a referendum. A social contract might be a slightly better option since it could be considered to have legal force.

Several member comments have been incorporated, though not all. There is a view that the Contract/Bill needs to be shorter but that makes it even more open to interpretation. A short version in addition to the main one is a possibility.

The response needs to be submitted by March 8th.

If we can agree this then we can also approach the political parties we have previously approached to try to ignite interest.

Can we live with it at this stage?

-----------------------------

The Contract

This contract provides a fair and just balance between the people’s rights and responsibilities and those of the State.

In this document a ‘person’ is considered to be a human being.

RIGHTS

THESE RIGHTS ARE FUNDAMENTAL. THEY CANNOT BE OVERRIDEN BY ANY EXISTING OR NEW LAW, OR DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY POWERS. UNDER THIS CONTRACT, GOVERNMENT IS OBLIGED TO GUARANTEE THESE RIGHTS TO ALL SUBJECTS.

1. Every person is in principle of equal status to all other persons
2. Every person has a right to be treated equally under the law, which is the only institution which may curtail certain rights if individuals break the law and are imprisoned (indicated by*) 
3. Every person has the right to express their thoughts freely
4. Every person has the right to believe what they choose to believe
5. Every person has the right of peaceful assembly and association with others*
6. Every person has the right to protest peacefully
7. Every person has the right to enter and leave their country without restriction*
8. Every person has the right to move freely within their country*
9. Every person has the right to access lifelong education
10. Every person has the right to be free from negative discrimination
11. Every person has the right to be free from coercion
12. Every person has a right to the basic human needs necessary to thrive
13. Every person has the right to protection from harm, including fair policing and fair access to medical care
14. Every person has the right to choose what does or does not happen to their bodies
15. Every person has the right to own property
16. Every person has the right to participate in meaningful and effective democracy
17. Every person has the right to access information held by a State authority, including the financial interests of Members of Parliament, that may affect their wellbeing so long as their knowing the information will not harm society in general
18. Every person has a right to be tried by an impartial jury of their peers
19. Every person has a right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty
20. Every person has the right to keep their personal information, including their health status, private

RESPONSIBILITIES

THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO A MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE SOCIETY. UNDER THIS CONTRACT ALL SUBJECTS AGREE TO UPHOLD THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN RETURN FOR GOVERNMENT GUARANTEEING THEIR RIGHTS.

1. Every person has a responsibility to treat other persons fairly, respecting their in principle equal status as persons
2. Every person has a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society
3. Every person has a responsibility not to harm other persons deliberately
4. Every person has a responsibility to think for themselves
5. Every person has the responsibility openly to question circumstances they consider wrong without fear of retribution
6. Every person has a responsibility to obey reasonable laws, and to accept reasonable consequences if they do not
7. Every person has a responsibility to pay reasonable taxes to assist the State in protecting everyone’s rights

THIS SOCIAL CONTRACT WILL BE PUT TO A REFERENDUM OF ALL PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE. IT WILL BE VALIDATED IF A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF VOTERS AGREE TO IT.