Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz

I stood up a few years ago at an international conference and asked a minister why a certain piece of legislation was already due for review and there had been no evidence of the first version ever having appeared at the district level.

His answer was that I should understand that democracy might not be the best form of government but it is the best we get at the moment. He then pleaded another meeting and walked out of the conference.

Those were the bad old days. Two weeks ago Dr Mike Reid from Local Government New Zealand explained the new rules for local government. You now can be an instrument for change in your own district. Any individual or group now has the authority to write directly to his organisation in Wellington and, providing you are serious, they will listen and on your initiative alone will follow through with you to implement change.

Frivolous and undocumented applications won't get very far but if you have done your homework, you will be treated seriously. This will include explaining how the change should be achieved, how it will promote good government and that you have provided some demonstrable community support in the form of surveys, meetings, correspondence and so on.

Councils and other organisations have always had the opportunity to make an appeal for change to local government but the opportunity is open now for anyone or any group in New Zealand to influence their local government directly.

Theoretically this is a great idea but how could it happen? All we need is for someone with a bright idea willing to stand up and make a case. This was later defined at the conference as ‘leadership'. Majority support is not necessary only demonstrable support for a great idea.

Who will be the first to stand up? Who will be the first to stand up in your town – in your street? If this stranger, this essential element for this new democratic way, stands up demanding your attention with what might be a bright idea, are you going to listen? I mentioned people standing on soap boxes on street corners previously. Apart from no-one knowing what a soap box looks like, who would be willing to support some outspoken radical at a local meeting and be willing to support his ideas?

The conference came to the conclusion that our main problem wasn't lack of ideas; it was lack of leadership in our society, but is that really our problem? Sir Bob Harvey voiced his concern over the passionless people. He reported that at meetings a few years ago 30 or 40 would arrive at council to hear and later voice their opinions. He reported nowadays he is lucky to see more than one or two.

Another key word from the meeting for politicians was that they should be ‘collaborating' with the people. Consultation is not good enough. We all need to collaborate, stand up moving forwards and hope we don't trip of course. The word is out. Now what? Keep your ears open. Stay alert. It might be your neighbour who will be the mover and shaker in your town and you thought all the time that he was an idiot. It is a worry isn't it? That councillor was right. Democracy might not be the best form of government but it does have one advantage over most others. It is capable of change and it would be unfortunate if we were not awake at the time and missed it.