Power to the people is theme of the day for Diana as Lib Dem Conference opens in Brighton

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Sep 2006

Diana Wallis MEP and Saira Khan in a windy Brighton to discuss citizens' initiatives

Diana Wallis MEP met Saira Khan, the runner-up from the BBC programme 'The Apprentice' in Brighton today. Since her appearance on last year's series, Saira has become something of a commentator on a variety of issues, not least on democracy. She is now fronting up an organisation called 'Our Say' which is campaigning for local and national referendums based on citizen's initiatives.

Diana has long been a campaigner on citizen's initiatives and the greater use of referendums and writes in today's 'Yorkshire Post' that time is running out for rulers who keep power away from people. (Posted under 'Recent Articles')

She said in Brighton: "The Swiss and many US states have employed this process of people's initiatives successfully for many years. I am delighted that somebody with the profile of Saira Khan is lending their support to the campaign for local and national referendums based on citizen's initiatives. With the help of people like her, it is an idea whose time has surely come. "

Our Say: Campaign for local and national referendums - www.our-say.org