What can we learn from the Venezuela National Popular Consultation?

Venezuela has just backed 4500 community projects and initiatives, voted for by the people! This is the Solidarity Economy in practice. The projects put forward were decided in local assemblies, much like our Soup Nights*, but on a huge scale! The process happens in over 4,500 communities that span all of Venezuela.

Voted for by anyone aged 15 or over, and varying vastly in scope (anything from buying new ambulances to purchasing equipment for tomato paste) they ensure the community gets exactly what it needs most - something they themselves have asked for. Venezuelans are there to tell their community’s story at the assemblies, and there on voting day where everyone gets a direct say in how money is spent.

In the UK, Labour will release their first budget in government on 30th October, and whilst there’s a lot of speculation about what might be in it, we've been told to expect even more cuts to public services. We've been told by the PM himself to brace for it to be “painful”. Now that election day has been and gone, there's no real way for the public to influence these decisions that will have real consequences for our lives.

The British Social Attitudes survey shows that over half the population would actually be happy to pay for more tax - but people don’t feel like they’re getting much back for it, and with continued under-funding to the NHS and a possible cut to the winter fuel payment we might feel short-changed again in October.

So why don’t we get a direct say in where our tax money is spent? What's stopping this government from taking a leaf out of Venezuela’s book? What would you prioritise in your community if you could voice your opinion in a people’s assembly?

*This Summer, we held our first Soup Night at Waffle - voting on how to divide up £1000 between 3 amazing local projects. Updates on these soon!

09 September 2024

By Cooperation Hull