Key component of assemblies is their deliberative nature. Deliberation allows members to reflect on their values and weigh new information in dialogue with subject-matter experts and their peers. By incorporating the views, information and arguments of experts and then asking the participants to engage in collaborative discussion, assemblies aim to enable the participants to educate themselves and produce a vote or result representative of the public interest.

Set up with support from the Scottish government, but independent of ministers, the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland is formed of 100+ members representative of the age, ethnicity, disability, education levels, geographic location and political persuasions of Scotland. Together they have been tasked with helping to set out a vision of how Scotland can overcome the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

Education Reform believes that a Parents citizen assembly is required now. Make it an election demand when asked.