“Our democracy thrives on debate and ideas and I hope these pamphlets will stimulate a discussion and creative thinking about our democracy.”
With these words, Bridget Prentice MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Constitutional Affairs, launched the Hansard Society’s Democracy Series at a reception in Foyles Bookstore in London.
Lord Holme, Chairman of the Hansard Society, opened the event, which was also addressed by Professor Haleh Afshar, principal author of the first issue in the Series on Democracy and Islam.
Speaking at the launch, Bridget Prentice said:
“These six democracy pamphlets are an excellent initiative by the Hansard Society and I am fully supportive of them… This is a way of reaching out to people, informing them about real issues that affect all of us and is an opportunity to get your feedback and input on these issues.”
Lord Holme echoed those sentiments, and looked ahead to the wider range of subjects that future issues in the Series will examine, including the challenge posed to democracy by globalisation and the prospects for political parties in an era of dwindling support for collective institutions.
Referring to the first pamphlet in the Series, he noted that the topic could not be timelier. The relationship between Islam and democracy – and indeed the subject of whether strong religious and ideological beliefs can be compatible with democratic dialogue – is a question that concerns not just the UK but countries around the world.
Professor Haleh Afshar was then invited to address the audience, explaining that her essay was an attempt to bridge the divide that she believes has opened up in Britain between mainstream political opinion and many Muslims.
She addressed some of the issues raised by the three commentators, in particular by Professor Brian Barry, who was also in attendance, maintaining that there is no inconsistency between belonging to the peoples of Islam and participating fully in the democratic process.
