Unlock Democracy
@unlockdemocracy.bsky.social
We campaign for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people. Reposts do not imply endorsement.
The government has rightly condemned Jimmy Lai’s unjust imprisonment - it's an outrage.
But when it comes to upholding free speech & freedom of assembly at home, ministers have been more equivocal.
Authoritarians jail dissenters. Democrats should defend them.
buff.ly/4lQqjr4
But when it comes to upholding free speech & freedom of assembly at home, ministers have been more equivocal.
Authoritarians jail dissenters. Democrats should defend them.
buff.ly/4lQqjr4
UK, UN and EU deplore ‘monumental injustice’ of Jimmy Lai’s 20-year jail sentence
Son says Hong Kong media figure, 78, fears dying alone while legal team say Lai is now world’s highest profile political prisoner
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
The government has rightly condemned Jimmy Lai’s unjust imprisonment - it's an outrage.
But when it comes to upholding free speech & freedom of assembly at home, ministers have been more equivocal.
Authoritarians jail dissenters. Democrats should defend them.
buff.ly/4lQqjr4
But when it comes to upholding free speech & freedom of assembly at home, ministers have been more equivocal.
Authoritarians jail dissenters. Democrats should defend them.
buff.ly/4lQqjr4
“Our laws seem to have failed to catch up with corruption. The case is now unanswerable for comprehensive and immediate action to clean up our politics”.
Powerful intervention from Gordon Brown. The Mandelson-Epstein scandal must be a turning point.
Powerful intervention from Gordon Brown. The Mandelson-Epstein scandal must be a turning point.
We owe it to Epstein’s victims and to British democracy to demand historic change | Gordon Brown
The abuse of women by figures such as Epstein, and of political power by the likes of Mandelson, must be confronted. As far as I am able, I will play my part, says former UK prime minister Gordon…
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 11:43 AM
“Our laws seem to have failed to catch up with corruption. The case is now unanswerable for comprehensive and immediate action to clean up our politics”.
Powerful intervention from Gordon Brown. The Mandelson-Epstein scandal must be a turning point.
Powerful intervention from Gordon Brown. The Mandelson-Epstein scandal must be a turning point.
"The archaic dog mess that is first-past-the-post needs to be ditched."
We couldn't agree more. In a recent Council by-election, the winner got just 22.3% of the vote.
Three-quarters of voters not getting what they voted for is no way to elect a dogcatcher, let alone Cllrs or MPs.
We couldn't agree more. In a recent Council by-election, the winner got just 22.3% of the vote.
Three-quarters of voters not getting what they voted for is no way to elect a dogcatcher, let alone Cllrs or MPs.
Labour made mistakes in its Caerphilly byelection defeat. It may be about to repeat them in Gorton and Denton | Will Hayward
In Wales, Plaid Cymru sailed through as the anti-Reform party, at Labour’s expense. Unless lessons are learned, the Greens could do the same, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward
buff.ly
February 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
"The archaic dog mess that is first-past-the-post needs to be ditched."
We couldn't agree more. In a recent Council by-election, the winner got just 22.3% of the vote.
Three-quarters of voters not getting what they voted for is no way to elect a dogcatcher, let alone Cllrs or MPs.
We couldn't agree more. In a recent Council by-election, the winner got just 22.3% of the vote.
Three-quarters of voters not getting what they voted for is no way to elect a dogcatcher, let alone Cllrs or MPs.
The Mandelson–Epstein scandal must be the trigger for big change in our politics.
Most politicians aren’t in it for the money or privilege. But the murky nexus of politics, influence & money that Mandelson embodied corrodes trust in the whole system.
Time to clean up politics.
Credit: TRIP
Most politicians aren’t in it for the money or privilege. But the murky nexus of politics, influence & money that Mandelson embodied corrodes trust in the whole system.
Time to clean up politics.
Credit: TRIP
February 5, 2026 at 9:28 AM
The Mandelson–Epstein scandal must be the trigger for big change in our politics.
Most politicians aren’t in it for the money or privilege. But the murky nexus of politics, influence & money that Mandelson embodied corrodes trust in the whole system.
Time to clean up politics.
Credit: TRIP
Most politicians aren’t in it for the money or privilege. But the murky nexus of politics, influence & money that Mandelson embodied corrodes trust in the whole system.
Time to clean up politics.
Credit: TRIP
Despite more revelations about his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Lord Mandelson cannot be stripped of his peerage.
The solution is simple - the Prime Minister must take the lead and start full-scale reform of the Lords.
Please sign our letter.
unlockdemocracy.org.uk/lord-mandelson
The solution is simple - the Prime Minister must take the lead and start full-scale reform of the Lords.
Please sign our letter.
unlockdemocracy.org.uk/lord-mandelson
Our letter to he Prime Minister on Lord Mandelson and the House of Lords — Unlock Democracy
unlockdemocracy.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Despite more revelations about his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Lord Mandelson cannot be stripped of his peerage.
The solution is simple - the Prime Minister must take the lead and start full-scale reform of the Lords.
Please sign our letter.
unlockdemocracy.org.uk/lord-mandelson
The solution is simple - the Prime Minister must take the lead and start full-scale reform of the Lords.
Please sign our letter.
unlockdemocracy.org.uk/lord-mandelson
Lobbyists don’t give money to political parties for nothing.
As an MP for 20+ years, our CEO saw how "donations buy better access, and therefore potentially more influence."
"I'd recommend looking their gift horse in the mouth and politely declining its generosity."
As an MP for 20+ years, our CEO saw how "donations buy better access, and therefore potentially more influence."
"I'd recommend looking their gift horse in the mouth and politely declining its generosity."
Political parties took thousands from lobbying groups in Scotland. Campaigners say they are buying access to power
Political parties have accepted thousands of pounds from lobbyists in recent years. Anti-corruption campaigners claimed donations buy lobby firms “privileged access” to politicians for their wealthy…
buff.ly
January 30, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Lobbyists don’t give money to political parties for nothing.
As an MP for 20+ years, our CEO saw how "donations buy better access, and therefore potentially more influence."
"I'd recommend looking their gift horse in the mouth and politely declining its generosity."
As an MP for 20+ years, our CEO saw how "donations buy better access, and therefore potentially more influence."
"I'd recommend looking their gift horse in the mouth and politely declining its generosity."
Cash-for-access corrodes trust and distorts policy.
Politicians should be listening to the public, but pay-to-play schemes mean ordinary voters don’t get a fair hearing.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Politicians should be listening to the public, but pay-to-play schemes mean ordinary voters don’t get a fair hearing.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Revealed: Lobbyist selling access to ministers for £30,000
Firms can get direct access to tech minister and No 10 advisers in exchange for sponorsing tech event, brochure says
www.opendemocracy.net
January 29, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Cash-for-access corrodes trust and distorts policy.
Politicians should be listening to the public, but pay-to-play schemes mean ordinary voters don’t get a fair hearing.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Politicians should be listening to the public, but pay-to-play schemes mean ordinary voters don’t get a fair hearing.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Half an MP’s salary, or 15-hours’ work per week
January 26, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Half an MP’s salary, or 15-hours’ work per week
An MP's loyalty to their voters must never be in doubt.
But when MPs take on multiple side gigs or accept lucrative freebies, it raises all sorts of questions…
It’s time to draw the line: no freebies above nominal value, and a cap on outside earnings.
But when MPs take on multiple side gigs or accept lucrative freebies, it raises all sorts of questions…
It’s time to draw the line: no freebies above nominal value, and a cap on outside earnings.
How much does YOUR MP earn from second jobs and gifts?
The extraordinary amount of money MPs earn from second jobs and gifts can today be laid bare by the Daily Mail's eye-opening new search tool.
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 1:20 PM
An MP's loyalty to their voters must never be in doubt.
But when MPs take on multiple side gigs or accept lucrative freebies, it raises all sorts of questions…
It’s time to draw the line: no freebies above nominal value, and a cap on outside earnings.
But when MPs take on multiple side gigs or accept lucrative freebies, it raises all sorts of questions…
It’s time to draw the line: no freebies above nominal value, and a cap on outside earnings.
We'll soon find out whether the government is going to restore the independence of the elections watchdog.
The Conservatives stripped the Electoral Commission of its independence in 2022.
The Elections Bill is this government’s chance to fix it.
Sign our letter to the PM 👇
buff.ly/WEE2NXR
The Conservatives stripped the Electoral Commission of its independence in 2022.
The Elections Bill is this government’s chance to fix it.
Sign our letter to the PM 👇
buff.ly/WEE2NXR
January 23, 2026 at 8:27 PM
We'll soon find out whether the government is going to restore the independence of the elections watchdog.
The Conservatives stripped the Electoral Commission of its independence in 2022.
The Elections Bill is this government’s chance to fix it.
Sign our letter to the PM 👇
buff.ly/WEE2NXR
The Conservatives stripped the Electoral Commission of its independence in 2022.
The Elections Bill is this government’s chance to fix it.
Sign our letter to the PM 👇
buff.ly/WEE2NXR
“Our councils should not have to face choosing between frontline services or elections. Democracy is not an inefficiency that should be cut out, and every council should have the resources to run local elections.” - Florence Eshalomi MP 👏
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Labour scraps more local elections … after pleas from Tories
Delays in Essex and Norfolk to take number of postponed polls to 30 — but government says new ‘streamlined’ system of local authorities will cut waste
www.thetimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:19 PM
“Our councils should not have to face choosing between frontline services or elections. Democracy is not an inefficiency that should be cut out, and every council should have the resources to run local elections.” - Florence Eshalomi MP 👏
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
The speed of the United States’ slide toward authoritarianism should be a warning for democracies everywhere of how quickly norms can be crushed and institutions hollowed out.
The UK must strengthen its democratic guardrails now - before it’s too late.
The UK must strengthen its democratic guardrails now - before it’s too late.
American democracy on the brink a year after Trump’s election, experts say
Scale and speed of president’s moves have stunned observers of authoritarian regimes – is the US in democratic peril?
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The speed of the United States’ slide toward authoritarianism should be a warning for democracies everywhere of how quickly norms can be crushed and institutions hollowed out.
The UK must strengthen its democratic guardrails now - before it’s too late.
The UK must strengthen its democratic guardrails now - before it’s too late.
Great initiative by IPSA in engaging with the public over a controversial issue - MPs' pay and expenses.
Citizens’ Fora show what’s possible when the public is meaningfully involved in decision-making.
Done well, they can help to rebuild trust in public institutions.
Citizens’ Fora show what’s possible when the public is meaningfully involved in decision-making.
Done well, they can help to rebuild trust in public institutions.
What's Democracy Worth? | IPSA
IPSA regulates and administers MPs business expenses and staffing costs. We also decide the pay and pensions the UK's elected MPs and their staff.
buff.ly
January 20, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Great initiative by IPSA in engaging with the public over a controversial issue - MPs' pay and expenses.
Citizens’ Fora show what’s possible when the public is meaningfully involved in decision-making.
Done well, they can help to rebuild trust in public institutions.
Citizens’ Fora show what’s possible when the public is meaningfully involved in decision-making.
Done well, they can help to rebuild trust in public institutions.
Reposted by Unlock Democracy
People care deeply about their neighbourhoods but too many feel shut out of decisions that shape them. New neighbourhood governance arrangements could change that, if done right.
A new blueprint shows how they might unlock community power. 🧵1/2
👉 bit.ly/A-blueprint-...
A new blueprint shows how they might unlock community power. 🧵1/2
👉 bit.ly/A-blueprint-...
January 20, 2026 at 11:57 AM
People care deeply about their neighbourhoods but too many feel shut out of decisions that shape them. New neighbourhood governance arrangements could change that, if done right.
A new blueprint shows how they might unlock community power. 🧵1/2
👉 bit.ly/A-blueprint-...
A new blueprint shows how they might unlock community power. 🧵1/2
👉 bit.ly/A-blueprint-...
Join Baroness Hale, former President of the Supreme Court, to discuss her book 'With the Law on Our Side'.
We’ll unpack how law really works, how it shapes daily life, protects our rights, & holds government to account.
🗓️ 11 Feb, 6–7pm
Full details 👇
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184825/...
We’ll unpack how law really works, how it shapes daily life, protects our rights, & holds government to account.
🗓️ 11 Feb, 6–7pm
Full details 👇
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184825/...
Baroness Hale in Conversation
At this webinar, Lady Hale will discuss her latest book “With the Law on Our Side: How the Law Works for Everyone and How We Can Make It Better”. This event is a must for anyone who wants to know how…
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk
January 19, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Join Baroness Hale, former President of the Supreme Court, to discuss her book 'With the Law on Our Side'.
We’ll unpack how law really works, how it shapes daily life, protects our rights, & holds government to account.
🗓️ 11 Feb, 6–7pm
Full details 👇
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184825/...
We’ll unpack how law really works, how it shapes daily life, protects our rights, & holds government to account.
🗓️ 11 Feb, 6–7pm
Full details 👇
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184825/...
The petition is here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Remove power to cancel local government elections
Change the law to remove the power of the Secretary of State to cancel any further forthcoming local government, metropolitan borough, London borough or any other elections, for example, but not limit...
petition.parliament.uk
January 17, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The petition is here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
There is a parliamentary petition currently under assessment.
We’ve written to the petitions committee to urge them to schedule the debate on this petition asap (i.e. before the cancellations are rubber stamped).
You can add your name: secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184786/...
We’ve written to the petitions committee to urge them to schedule the debate on this petition asap (i.e. before the cancellations are rubber stamped).
You can add your name: secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184786/...
A dark day for democracy
The government cancelling local elections threatens accountability and undermines local democracy. Parliament must debate whether the government should have this power. Please sign our letter.
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk
January 17, 2026 at 3:21 PM
There is a parliamentary petition currently under assessment.
We’ve written to the petitions committee to urge them to schedule the debate on this petition asap (i.e. before the cancellations are rubber stamped).
You can add your name: secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184786/...
We’ve written to the petitions committee to urge them to schedule the debate on this petition asap (i.e. before the cancellations are rubber stamped).
You can add your name: secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/184786/...
Great to see business leaders backing electoral reform in the Financial Times. Our electoral system doesn't work for the multi-party politics we have today. Failure to change risks chaos and division after the next election. democracy4growth.uk
Democracy4Growth
the business case for reforming the uk's electoral system
democracy4growth.uk
January 17, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Great to see business leaders backing electoral reform in the Financial Times. Our electoral system doesn't work for the multi-party politics we have today. Failure to change risks chaos and division after the next election. democracy4growth.uk
The next election in those areas, it seems highly probable, will not be for the existing council - but for a new body yet to be created. Those ward councillors will likely never face election again, and yet serve a 7 or even 8-year term. We consider that, in every meaningful sense, cancellation. 2/2
January 17, 2026 at 12:22 PM
The next election in those areas, it seems highly probable, will not be for the existing council - but for a new body yet to be created. Those ward councillors will likely never face election again, and yet serve a 7 or even 8-year term. We consider that, in every meaningful sense, cancellation. 2/2
The problem is, when you look at the numbers - the share of councils where Lab is in power that have sought cancellation vs other parties, plus polling - that perception is inescapable. As for postponed vs cancelled, several places that postponed last year have done so again… 1/2
January 17, 2026 at 12:19 PM
The problem is, when you look at the numbers - the share of councils where Lab is in power that have sought cancellation vs other parties, plus polling - that perception is inescapable. As for postponed vs cancelled, several places that postponed last year have done so again… 1/2
Governments cancelling elections without proper justification is bad enough.
But the perception that this decision was taken for party advantage just compounds the damage.
The law must be changed so that no govt can cancel elections without a vote in Parliament.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
But the perception that this decision was taken for party advantage just compounds the damage.
The law must be changed so that no govt can cancel elections without a vote in Parliament.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Governments cancelling elections without proper justification is bad enough.
But the perception that this decision was taken for party advantage just compounds the damage.
The law must be changed so that no govt can cancel elections without a vote in Parliament.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
But the perception that this decision was taken for party advantage just compounds the damage.
The law must be changed so that no govt can cancel elections without a vote in Parliament.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
More evidence, if it were needed, that mega political donations bring access and influence unavailable to 99% of voters.
Politicians should be answerable to the voters, not big donors.
We need a donations cap.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Politicians should be answerable to the voters, not big donors.
We need a donations cap.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
January 16, 2026 at 3:20 PM
More evidence, if it were needed, that mega political donations bring access and influence unavailable to 99% of voters.
Politicians should be answerable to the voters, not big donors.
We need a donations cap.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Politicians should be answerable to the voters, not big donors.
We need a donations cap.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Great turnout at last night’s event with the District Council Network.
The appetite for genuine devolution remains huge.
But there is widespread concern, among voters and councillors, that the government’s top-down reforms to local councils are taking England further in the wrong direction.
The appetite for genuine devolution remains huge.
But there is widespread concern, among voters and councillors, that the government’s top-down reforms to local councils are taking England further in the wrong direction.
January 14, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Great turnout at last night’s event with the District Council Network.
The appetite for genuine devolution remains huge.
But there is widespread concern, among voters and councillors, that the government’s top-down reforms to local councils are taking England further in the wrong direction.
The appetite for genuine devolution remains huge.
But there is widespread concern, among voters and councillors, that the government’s top-down reforms to local councils are taking England further in the wrong direction.
It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Labour is running scared of the voters.
Labour is in power in a disproportionate no. of councils seeking to cancel their elections. Labour ministers approving these requests risks compounding the crisis of distrust in politics.
Labour is in power in a disproportionate no. of councils seeking to cancel their elections. Labour ministers approving these requests risks compounding the crisis of distrust in politics.
21 Labour councils say they can’t hold elections this year
More than 3.7 million voters will not get the chance to have their say on local democracy as government is accused of running scared
www.thetimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:22 PM
It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Labour is running scared of the voters.
Labour is in power in a disproportionate no. of councils seeking to cancel their elections. Labour ministers approving these requests risks compounding the crisis of distrust in politics.
Labour is in power in a disproportionate no. of councils seeking to cancel their elections. Labour ministers approving these requests risks compounding the crisis of distrust in politics.
"The knee-deep claggy quagmire that is local government reorganisation is strangling or at least stalling the devolution England badly needs."
Labour claims it's shifting power from Whitehall to the town hall. The truth is more complicated.
leftfootforward.org/2026/01/why-...
Labour claims it's shifting power from Whitehall to the town hall. The truth is more complicated.
leftfootforward.org/2026/01/why-...
Why has devolution ground to a halt?
That’s a hammer blow to plans to deliver growth and to get power out of Whitehall and back into local communities.
leftfootforward.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:57 PM
"The knee-deep claggy quagmire that is local government reorganisation is strangling or at least stalling the devolution England badly needs."
Labour claims it's shifting power from Whitehall to the town hall. The truth is more complicated.
leftfootforward.org/2026/01/why-...
Labour claims it's shifting power from Whitehall to the town hall. The truth is more complicated.
leftfootforward.org/2026/01/why-...