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.
“A shadow hangs over democracy; the shadow of corruption”, writes our CEO in Left Foot Forward.
Power is being bought and sold – we must fight back
A shadow hangs over democracy; the shadow of corruption
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM
“A shadow hangs over democracy; the shadow of corruption”, writes our CEO in Left Foot Forward.
After decades of being devalued and defunded by central government, councils should be looking forward to the potential benefits of devolution. Instead they are mired in a time-consuming reorganisation that will shift power even further away from local communities. Ministers should rethink.
Tom Brake: Ministers should prioritise devo over LGR
If the government chooses LGR over devolution, they should focus on creating new councils that are closer to the residents they work for, writes the chief
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 9:48 AM
After decades of being devalued and defunded by central government, councils should be looking forward to the potential benefits of devolution. Instead they are mired in a time-consuming reorganisation that will shift power even further away from local communities. Ministers should rethink.
Reposted by Unlock Democracy
"The collision of a multiparty electorate with a voting system designed for two parties is creating new risks for Britain".
I signed this letter. It's not about blocking Reform;it's about the danger to democracy of a system that can't cope with multiparty voting
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I signed this letter. It's not about blocking Reform;it's about the danger to democracy of a system that can't cope with multiparty voting
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an 'unprecedented' s...
www.politicshome.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:27 PM
"The collision of a multiparty electorate with a voting system designed for two parties is creating new risks for Britain".
I signed this letter. It's not about blocking Reform;it's about the danger to democracy of a system that can't cope with multiparty voting
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I signed this letter. It's not about blocking Reform;it's about the danger to democracy of a system that can't cope with multiparty voting
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
📮 Full text of the letter calling on the Government to engage with the growing risks First Past the Post now presents
✍️ Signatories include leading academics, political scientists and constitutional experts - including a former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission
✍️ Signatories include leading academics, political scientists and constitutional experts - including a former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission
February 14, 2026 at 5:53 PM
📮 Full text of the letter calling on the Government to engage with the growing risks First Past the Post now presents
✍️ Signatories include leading academics, political scientists and constitutional experts - including a former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission
✍️ Signatories include leading academics, political scientists and constitutional experts - including a former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission
It’s been a bleak 7 days for anyone who thinks standards in politics matters.
First it was the Mandelson scandal, which is far from over. Now it’s another scandal about who the Prime Minister saw fit to appoint to the Lords.
It’s the kind of drama that Keir Starmer was elected to stop.
First it was the Mandelson scandal, which is far from over. Now it’s another scandal about who the Prime Minister saw fit to appoint to the Lords.
It’s the kind of drama that Keir Starmer was elected to stop.
February 13, 2026 at 2:49 PM
It’s been a bleak 7 days for anyone who thinks standards in politics matters.
First it was the Mandelson scandal, which is far from over. Now it’s another scandal about who the Prime Minister saw fit to appoint to the Lords.
It’s the kind of drama that Keir Starmer was elected to stop.
First it was the Mandelson scandal, which is far from over. Now it’s another scandal about who the Prime Minister saw fit to appoint to the Lords.
It’s the kind of drama that Keir Starmer was elected to stop.
The Representation of the People Bill contains lots to be happy about.
Measures to boost participation & stop foreign interference are very welcome.
But there's more still to do to give the public confidence that the rules are enforced independently & political power cannot be bought. 🧵
Measures to boost participation & stop foreign interference are very welcome.
But there's more still to do to give the public confidence that the rules are enforced independently & political power cannot be bought. 🧵
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The Representation of the People Bill contains lots to be happy about.
Measures to boost participation & stop foreign interference are very welcome.
But there's more still to do to give the public confidence that the rules are enforced independently & political power cannot be bought. 🧵
Measures to boost participation & stop foreign interference are very welcome.
But there's more still to do to give the public confidence that the rules are enforced independently & political power cannot be bought. 🧵
Reposted by Unlock Democracy
We welcome steps to shut down foreign interference in our politics.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Labour to ban foreign party donors unless they make money in UK
Elections bill proposes tight cap on overseas donations as well as lowering voting age to 16 and other electoral changes
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 7:32 AM
We welcome steps to shut down foreign interference in our politics.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
We welcome steps to shut down foreign interference in our politics.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Labour to ban foreign party donors unless they make money in UK
Elections bill proposes tight cap on overseas donations as well as lowering voting age to 16 and other electoral changes
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 7:32 AM
We welcome steps to shut down foreign interference in our politics.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Foreign billionaires, no matter their corporate holdings in the UK, have no business making political donations.
But without a cap on domestic big money, UK mega donors will still wield unacceptable influence.
Help protect democratic decision-making in Parliament. Bills backed by the House of Commons and the public should have time to complete all stages in Parliament, not get talked out by unelected peers.
Sign & share 👇
Sign & share 👇
Petition: Act to ensure Bills backed by MPs & public can complete all stages in Parliament
We want the Government to do everything in its power to ensure that when bills are supported by MPs & the public, they have the time to complete all their stages in Parliament. We believe this is…
buff.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Help protect democratic decision-making in Parliament. Bills backed by the House of Commons and the public should have time to complete all stages in Parliament, not get talked out by unelected peers.
Sign & share 👇
Sign & share 👇
Local democracy is being hollowed out by centralisation on steroids.
But it’s not too late to change course.
Let’s reconnect politics with communities and build a democracy that truly puts power in people’s hands.
buff.ly/1WFZiRQ
But it’s not too late to change course.
Let’s reconnect politics with communities and build a democracy that truly puts power in people’s hands.
buff.ly/1WFZiRQ
Neighbourhood governance: a chance to break the all-pervasive culture of centralisation - We're Right Here
Unlock Democracy's take on pervasive centralisation and what it would take for new neighbourhood governance arrangements to deliver real power to local people.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Local democracy is being hollowed out by centralisation on steroids.
But it’s not too late to change course.
Let’s reconnect politics with communities and build a democracy that truly puts power in people’s hands.
buff.ly/1WFZiRQ
But it’s not too late to change course.
Let’s reconnect politics with communities and build a democracy that truly puts power in people’s hands.
buff.ly/1WFZiRQ
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...
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/...
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