“OVER 240 people in a room in Newcastle for politics. When was the last time that happened indoors in Newcastle?” asks Tony Pierre, rhetorically, of course, for this event co-organiser and Jamie Driscoll’s networker-in-chief knows the answer.

Hosted by Majority and supported by Assemble, a Newcastle citizens’ assembly held at the Discovery Museum on Sunday May 18, attracted people from across north-east England to help develop a people’s manifesto for Newcastle, ahead of the all-out elections in the city next year.

Excitement in the room was palpable, with opening speeches from former North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll, Assemble co-founder Molly Shelton and introduced by Majority member, former Northumberland council candidate, Karen Weech. There was also support from local organisations and campaign groups who attended with stalls.

“There’s been no food to tempt people, no band to entertain — people are here, young people and older people, because they want things to be different and to be a part of making that happen — and that’s brought its own energy to the room. Political energy. Fantastic,” enthused Pierre.

With hope in their hearts and change in their minds, people workshopped in groups with trained facilitators to talk about what is important to them and to draw out their key priorities for their community, to form the basis of a manifesto. The only rules for discussions being to listen to each other and for there to be no explicit discrimination or racism.

Rachel Watson Boyd from campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts said: “I am here because we believe that disabled people’s voices are actively absent within our current government and there is a pressing need to continue to campaign for a right to participate fully in society, to live.”

Majority leader Driscoll said ahead of the event: “People should be at the heart of a democracy. But in Britain, every few years, we get to elect people who are under no obligation to keep their promises or even tell the truth.

“Through the forum of the assembly, people bring their everyday experiences to the table. The things we would like to see fixed. It’s a process that is about common sense and a belief that we should be listened to.”

Since securing over 126,000 votes as an independent candidate in last year’s North East mayoral election, Driscoll has established a new progressive movement called Majority. Majority plans to work with and support a slate of progressive candidates in next year’s local elections, which in Newcastle will be “all out.”

Karen Weech hosted a similar gathering last spring, leading to the creation of a community charter for the town of Rothbury and said: “There is a buzz in the room today. There is real energy when people have the tools to shape their future. People are talking today, and they are being heard. Majority wants to progress forward on real issues that matter in communities. Majority is offering a real alternative to the growing frustration with traditional party politics.”

A number of similar events will take place in Stockport, Luton, Plymouth, Bristol and across Britain this summer. Nominations will be taken at each event for advocates to participate in a three-day event in July to further develop a national manifesto for the people by the people.

For more information about Assemble please go to www.linktr.ee/assembledemocracy.

For more information about Majority please go to www.majority.org.uk.