City of Democracy

Newport, once a city at the heart of the Chartist movement, should become a City of Democracy and host a democracy festival, according to a report.

The idea is backed by Newport City Council leader Councillor Debbie Wilcox and supporters from business, education and heritage organisations.

The recommendations from independent think-tank ResPublica include:

  • Agreeing a branding strategy for the City of Democracy
  • Measures to support co-op and mutual ownership for established and new local businesses
  • Looking at putting the Newport Story into the school curriculum
  • Using Newport's citizen’s panel to trial new, collaborative digital democracy tools
  • Participating in discussions around electoral reform
  • Creating a Festival of Democracy, drawing on historic and modern contexts and generating debate

Download a summary of the report and recommendations (pdf)

Visit ResPublica to read the full report

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