The rise of the reactionary, populist Ukip in May’s European elections, a trend confirmed by the recent by-elections in Kent and Manchester, is the starkest indication that the present political system is dying on its feet.

This is happening at the same time as trade unionists are more determined than ever to fight back against the Con-Dems’ austerity cuts, attacks on pensions and a pay freeze that leaves millions worse off.

But while firefighters, nurses, midwives and others take up the struggle on the industrial front, increasing numbers of people are alienated from a politics that is too often regarded as self-serving and unrepresentative.

The three major parties find it increasingly difficult to differentiate themselves from each other, which reinforces what could fairly be termed a crisis of democracy.

This is no small matter for working people, who were in the forefront of the struggle for political representation through winning the vote in the 19th century and the building of the Labour Party in the 20th century.

That’s why, following the shock results in the European elections, Croydon Trades Union Council decided to sponsor a local assembly, which takes place on Saturday.

The aim is to give local trade unionists, activists, environmentalists, community groups and campaigners across the board an independent voice. They are being invited to take part in a working assembly, that goes beyond a sharing of disturbing experiences that are a feature of life in Cameron’s Britain.

Two platform speakers in the morning, John McDonnell MP and NUT senior vice-president Philipa Harvey, and two in the afternoon, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka and Nero Ughwujabo, a local anti-racism leader, will be asked to set out the challenges we face in building a movement for change.

The bulk of the day will be spent in working groups. These will include groups on the NHS, education, austerity, the banks and privatisation, housing, race and immigration, welfare and pensions and climate change. There will also be a group devoted to the crisis of democracy and representation.

In the working parties, opening speakers will be limited to seven minutes. We want people to participate to the maximum in developing policy ideas and strategies that go beyond the usual shopping lists.

The plan is that the working groups will continue to meet after November 15 and take their ideas into the broader community. The assembly is designed to give working people confidence in their ability to fashion change for themselves.

The Scotland independence referendum showed a massive appetite for democratic debate and discussion when people saw they had a possibility of changing an entire political framework.

Assemblies like the one in Croydon, as well as the People’s Assembly Against Austerity and other movements like Occupy, can help towards bringing about the fairer, more democratic society we all want.

Please lend the assembly your support, whether you live in the borough or not. Come and join us.

Ted Knight is secretary of Unite Croydon retired members branch and an EC member of the Croydon TUC.

Croydon Assembly takes place on Saturday, 10am-4.30pm, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, CRO 1BD