This is a reprint of my ‘manifesto’ for the ERS Elections.
Chris Carrigan is an experienced electoral reform campaigner with a professional background in strategy and organisational change. He was the chair of the successful Oxford Yes to Fairer Votes Campaign.
Chris has spent the last two years working on a major global restructuring of Oxfam. Before that he was a partner in the strategy practice of the world’s largest management consultancy. He specialised in business strategy, mergers and acquisitions and large scale organisational transformation.
I believe that the Society needs to re-earn its right to lead Democratic Reform in the UK.
The reform movement is passionate, dedicated and well resourced. The case for change becomes more obvious with every election. Yet, as the AV referendum demonstrated, being enthusiastic and right is not enough. We have to get better organised.
To overcome entrenched vested interests all the pro-reform groups and organisations will need to be aligned into a powerful campaigning network. This isn’t about time consuming mergers, it’s about the different parts of the reform movement, nationally and locally, working together effectively.
The Society, because of its history and the resources it commands is uniquely placed to make this change happen. By working constructively with others to deliver effective campaigns the Society can gain the respect and trust that will enable it to lead.
Chris Carrigan has the skills and experience the society needs on the council:
- Top level business experience. He has worked with many UK and international companies on strategy and restructuring;
- Passionate believer in Democratic Reform with over 20 years of campaigning experience;
- Knows how important the difference between Governance and management is. Will ensure the council sets the right direction without micro-managing;
- Experienced chairman, who led a team in Oxford that secured one of our few wins during the AV Referendum;
- A natural builder of collaboration and consensus with a proven record of working across party and organisational boundaries.