October 4^th saw the first event of the Big Democracy project taking place in Penrhyn Hall, Bangor. It had taken three months to get to this point, from inviting ideas to three ideas being voted on to producing the event.

The chosen proposal was put forward by Bethesda poet Martin Daws – The Poetry Party – which looked at voter apathy.

We put the show together in 4 days and it’s a huge testament to the artist’s skill to create such quality performances and that amount of time.

It was really great to work with Martin, Nikki, Rhys, Ali and Sophie and the rest of the crew and it seemed that everyone who attended responded to the performance and contributed to the conversation.

I think that the evening provided a great platform for honest, heartfelt conversation and it seems that there is an apatite for political discussion, in what was described as a ‘safe space’. It was also great to hear some brilliant poetry (a big thank you to Sophie for taking one for the team, she's quite left wing really :)  

Below are some of the things said on the night

 Only the rich have democracy • Make things work for the people • A change in how people are voted into office • Do we need party politics • Less inequality • Build a new politic of the people • Convictional politicians • Spoilt Ballots don’t get counted • We have to accept democracy with all its faults • Have every really experienced true democracy? • Is what we have a democracy? •  It’s a broken system but it’s the only system we have • Voting isn’t worth the effort • Sometimes its based on the tradition of who your family voted for • I say no boarders no nations • Anarchism is responsibility • I don’t know anyone who votes • Im trying to pull my finger out and make a difference

Details of the next Big Democracy event will be released soon.