I am feeling nervous. I am standing in the town centre of Newton Abbot with fellow community activists from a group called Common Ground. We're all powerfully concerned with democracy and with how it is working (or not working) in our local communities. As a group we have no allegiance to any of the political parties that vie for our votes. Indeed, we believe passionately that democracy begins, not in Westminster, nor in candidates canvassing on doorsteps, but in ordinary con