Unlock Democracy

Unlock Democracy is proud to keep the torch burning for constitutional reform in the UK.

Charter 88’s old Rolodex reads like a who's who of democratic reform-minded Britain in the 80s and 90s.

Ken Follett, Barbara Castle, Gordon Brown, Lesley Abdela, and many many more.

A remarkable coalition for change.

37 years ago today, our predecessor organisation Charter 88 was launched.

A mass movement for democratic & constitutional reform in the UK, their call to action is as relevant today as ever.

Will you help us finish Charter 88's work? 👇
tinyurl.com/yd74t5ns

Keir Starmer thinks his government has restored trust and respect to politics…

🎉 A huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to our crowdfunder!

Thanks to your support, we not only smashed our target, we even topped our stretch target.

>£55,000 raised at an average of £20-£25 per donation. This is what people-powered politics looks like.

The democratic fight back is on.

Unfortunately, due to a cyber attack on several London councils, including Kensington and Chelsea, we have had to postpone tonight's hybrid event at K&C library 👇

New date to be announced.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

news.sky.com/story/london...

The Guardian view on the peers lobbying scandal: Lords reform is a vital step for restoring trust in democracy | Editorial Editorial: Although some appointees make valuable contributions, the absurd archaism of the second chamber of parliament has to be addressed

“Appointees are certainly not supposed to use their privileged position to advance the interests of paying clients.”

But some peers do - as was proven this week.

4 & 5-month suspensions are inadequate - serious breaches should incur serious consequences.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Good to meet with representatives from @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social to discuss the Elections Bill, Automatic Voter Registration and Votes at 16. I was also pleased to sign their open letter calling for AVR, Votes at 16 and for the independence of the Electoral Commission to be protected.

@alanrenwick.bsky.social is speaking at an in-person event at Kensington Central Library tomorrow night.

Co-organised with Operation Black Vote and @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social, the event is part of a series about how democracy works and how to shape political decisions.

Sign up 👇

Effective tax rates will rise, but public trust won’t.

Honesty about the challenges is essential for trust.

Pledge no income tax rises, hint at them, backtrack, then effectively deliver them via a threshold freeze - no wonder voters conclude they can’t trust what politicians say.

Democracy
How did we get there?
What is it for?
Is there another way?
Join us tomorrow.

Our Crowdfunder has just 24 HOURS to go! Will you donate before it closes?

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...

Picture of Charlotte signing a letter to the Prime Minister, pen in hand.

Pleased to attend Unlock Democracy’s event in Parliament today. 🗳 Our democracy is precious – we must do all we can to safeguard and strengthen it.

It’s UK Parliament Week.

With public confidence in democracy shaken, it’s more important than ever that we bridge the gap between the people and the decisions taken in Parliament that affect our daily lives.

An informed, active public is the heart of a healthy democracy.

There are definitely some positive aspects to the Bill. But as David Blunkett said recently, the Bill talks about empowering communities yet “does nothing of the sort.” In one of the most centralised countries in Europe, it proposes to concentrate power in still fewer hands.
bsky.app/profile/unlo...

Cross-party MPs ramp up calls for government to restore Electoral Commission’s independence "Our democracy is not safe while the Electoral Commission is left so vulnerable."

MPs are urging the government to commit to restoring the Electoral Commission's independence in the upcoming Elections Bill @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social

leftfootforward.org/2025/11/cros...

Would you like to see the government stand up for our democracy, starting with a fairer voting system for Westminster, and a second chamber fit for the 21st century?

If so, please help us ramp up pressure on the government by donating to our Crowdfunder!

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...

Yet now, Labour says it intends to “designate a new Strategy & Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission to reflect the government's priorities for elections and [the] Commission's increased roles and responsibilities.”

Having u-turned once, we hope ministers will u-turn again.

Even after coming to office, Labour ministers were arguing that the Conservative government's change to grant ministers the power to set a Strategy & Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission was “inconsistent with the Commission’s role as an independent regulator."

Jack Straw, on creating the Electoral Commission in 2000: “To undertake its key role at the heart of our electoral arrangements, the Commission must be as independent of the govt of the day as our constitutional arrangements allow, & it must be answerable directly to Parliament & not to ministers.”

In 2022, Labour's spokesperson was clear - no minister should get to set Electoral Commission strategy:

“It is not for this government or any government, be they Labour or Conservative, to dictate the priorities of an independent watchdog, especially one that regulates our own elections.”

Politicians urge Labour to restore Electoral Commission independence All-party group say move is needed to stop UK lagging behind global standards on election integrity

No government should be able to meddle with the elections regulator.

New Labour set up the Electoral Commission to be an independent watchdog.

This Labour government must honour their pre-election rhetoric and restore full independence to the Commission.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Unlock Democracy: "The Bill to abolish the remaining hereditary peers in the Lords was published 441 days ago and STILL hasn't passed."

"All this time wasted on a Bill that’s just tinkering around the edges.

"What we need is major reform of the Lords to make it democratic and accountable."

Now more than ever, we need to fight back to protect democracy in the UK.

Please support us by backing our Crowdfunder today.

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...

The Devolution Bill claims to be about ‘empowering communities’ - but it “does nothing of the sort.”

David Blunkett is right: the Bill will shift power away from local communities and hand it to new mega-councils.

Centralisation dressed up as empowerment is still centralisation.

The threat to democracy is clear. Help us fight back by contributing to our crowdfunder 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...

Project 2029 poses a real threat to our democracy: We must act The UK is waking up to the reality that the UK is also vulnerable to the equivalent of the US’s Project 2025

The US shows how quickly democracy can unravel when leaders ignore the rules.

The UK now faces its own risk: Project 2029.

New opaque think tanks, threats to rights, and pressure on institutions are warning signs.

We need action now to protect our democracy.
leftfootforward.org/2025/11/proj...

Sir Keir Starmer expresses 'sincere regret' over appointment of Labour donor to chair football regulator The prime minister had recused himself from decisions related to the appointment of a chair for the new regulator because of his interest in football, and football-related hospitality he had received.

Starmer rubber stamping the apppointment of the football regulator is probably a storm in a teacup. But the issue is one of perception.

As a significant Labour donor, Kogan's appointment only fuels public concern that money buys access and influence in politics.

news.sky.com/story/sir-ke...

Time to fight back Now more than ever, we need to fight back to protect democracy in the UK. Please support us by backing our Crowdfunder today.

We’ve been blown away by the response to our Crowdfunder.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has generously donated. You make our work possible.

We’re now within reach of our target! Please can you help us smash it THIS WEEK?

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-moment

Billionaire Tory donor and JCB chair Lord Bamford gives Reform UK £200,000 "Lord Bamford's latest political donation makes the point, yet again, that we need a cap on donations."

"Lord Bamford's latest political donation makes the point, yet again, that we need a cap on donations," says @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social

leftfootforward.org/2025/11/bill...