The Democracy Network

“There’s a lot of trust in this country – it’s just not with politicians”: Sheffield hosts the UK’s Democracy Summit for the first time Participants debated ideas ranging from proportional representation and citizens’ assemblies to grassroots democracy and tackling overseas money in our politics.

“The state democracy’s now in poses questions for all of us about how we respond”

The UK's Democracy Summit (@democracynetworkuk.bsky.social) came to #Sheffield for the first time last week, discussing topics ranging from citizens' assemblies to pro-democracy tech.

@sammgreg.bsky.social reports ⬇️

A hall full of people watching a presentation. They sit at round tables.

A person talks animatedly before a projected presentation.

Groups of people are stood talking to one another.

Stickers can be seen lined up on a table. They claim the "Time is now."

Had a great time at #DNSummit last Friday representing @newsmastfoundation.org!

Huge thanks to @democracynetworkuk.bsky.social for putting it together (and for hosting away from London).

As part of the summit’s speed networking, I was asked what gives me hope. My answer was it’s people working together towards a common vision, even though there might be an infinite number of paths we take to reach that end goal. And events like this provide a platform for this (7/8)

Sarah Castell wrapping up a brilliant day of discussion, debate and deliberation in the democracy space. Thanks to everyone who came along today and to the team behind the scenes who made it run so smoothly #DNSummit25

We’re delighted to have Fiona Weir of JRRT join us at #DNSummit25 to give an update on the democracy funding landscape, and ask what we can all do to bring new funders into the sector.

Really pleased to have chaired an event about our put people first campaign with @democracynetworkuk.bsky.social @compinpolitics.bsky.social & to have heard from many others especially @electheruk.bsky.social

Starting now at #DNSummit25 - a major breakout session exploring the discriminatory impacts of anti-protest legislation.

We’re also proud to show images from a new exhibition that highlights people who are currently imprisoned due to anti-protest laws.

Watching the DN Summit online? Catch 'Feeling the Chill now;

us02web.zoom.us/j/87332942318 (passcode: 862951)

#DNSummit25

And now we’re getting people moving with the Democracy Disco at #DNSummit25! 🕺🏻🪩

Attendees at #DNSummit25 are rolling their sleeves up and getting involved with participatory workshops, covering democracy tech, devolution, policies for making a more just society for Britain’s black communities and strategies for increasing women’s representation in politics.

Please join the campaign @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social , share our materials and video, and check out our pledge card #cleanuppolitics

“Let’s move to participatory systems. A tight elite governing is unsustainable and if we work together there’s a brighter day in the future” Glenn Jenkins, Marsh Farm @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social #cleanuppolitics

“We need to bring campaigners and people together to continue this work” @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social #cleanuppolitics “Let’s decolonise democracy” Moussa

“What are the solutions? What are the big lightbulb moments? Anya, Compassion in Politics, @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social #cleanuppolitics

“There needs to be transparency and accountability for politicians because they need to deliver what they said” Moussa, Haringey, London @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social #cleanuppolitics

‘There is a divide and people don’t want that divide and we can see that in the rise of populism and the far right’ Alastair from @sortitionnow.bsky.social @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social #cleanuppolitics

“We can only do this from the bottom up…we need regular accountability from our elected officials” Glenn Jenkins, Marsh Farm in Luton. Moussa asks what is democracy? @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social

Launching the Put People First campaign today to #cleanuppolitics @putpeoplefirst.bsky.social. Hearing from Anya Sizer, Alastair from Sortition Foundation, Moussa from Community Organisers and Glenn from Marsh Farm.

Panel at the Clean Up Politics campaign

Enjoying the launch of the #CleanUpPolitics campaign #DNSummit25 @democracynetworkuk.bsky.social @politicsproject.bsky.social @politicsinaction.bsky.social

We are networking for democracy at #DNSummit25- is there a better sound than that of a hall full of brilliant people making new connections? 🤩

How do we respond to growing threats to democracy, discussing now at #DNSummit25

Panel with Anki from Hope Not Hate on the screen behind

Panel on confronting the threats to democracy @democracynetworkuk.bsky.social @38degrees.bsky.social @hopenothate.org.uk @fairvoteuk.bsky.social Operation Black Vote ‘we need to restore faith in politics’ #DNSummit25

Do you have your ticket?

If you're at our event don't forget to participate in our collective notes 👇(summit.democracynetwork.org.uk/collectiveno...)

Share an interesting quote, something that inspired you or something new you learned. 🗣️

Now onto the Q&A with Michael Crick, questions on the power of PR, deliberative democracy, who should run our democracy, and election interference.

We’re delighted to have Michael Crick set the tone for a day of discussions with reflections on the challenges facing democracy. “We have to recruit the best and brightest people into politics…and stop putting obstacles in peoples ways”

Great photo! Thank you for sharing!

If anything said today resonates with you, do feel free to fill out our collective notes too! 👇

summit.democracynetwork.org.uk/collectiveno...

Michael Crick opening the summit on the perils facing democracy

Great opening speech from Michael Crick at the @democracynetworkuk.bsky.social summit #DNsummit25 in Sheffield on the perils facing Democracy @politicsinaction.bsky.social @politicsproject.bsky.social

🚀And we’re off!

Sarah Castell, CEO of @involveuk.bsky.social kicks off #DNSummit25 🙌

We’ll be posting live from the summit here in Sheffield, so follow along for updates! 👀

🚨 There's just 1 day to go until #DNSummit25!

🎟️ We still have some tickets remaining – so this is your last call to join us in Sheffield for a day of powerful discussions, networking, and fresh ideas on the future of democracy.

Full schedule and tickets here👇
https://buff.ly/3Xh8cQ0

📢 Fiona Barrows will be leading the final plenary session of the day at #DNSummit25, inviting attendees to 'turn democracy upside down' 💭

📆 Friday 28th February
📍 Sheffield

🎟️ Full schedule and last remaining tickets here! 👇
https://buff.ly/43ay83k