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.
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.
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.
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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.
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.
How did we get there?
What is it for?
Is there another way?
Join us tomorrow.
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Democracy
How did we get there?
What is it for?
Is there another way?
Join us tomorrow.
How did we get there?
What is it for?
Is there another way?
Join us tomorrow.
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.
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.
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
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.
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.
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-...
Please support us by backing our Crowdfunder today.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...
November 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
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-...
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.
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.
November 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
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.
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.
Our voting system cannot cope with multi-party politics.
As @robfordmancs.bsky.social told an Unlock Democracy webinar earlier this year:
"The price politicians who opt to retain First Past the Post will pay is ever more chaotic and unpredictable election results."
H/t Andy Beckett.
As @robfordmancs.bsky.social told an Unlock Democracy webinar earlier this year:
"The price politicians who opt to retain First Past the Post will pay is ever more chaotic and unpredictable election results."
H/t Andy Beckett.
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Our voting system cannot cope with multi-party politics.
As @robfordmancs.bsky.social told an Unlock Democracy webinar earlier this year:
"The price politicians who opt to retain First Past the Post will pay is ever more chaotic and unpredictable election results."
H/t Andy Beckett.
As @robfordmancs.bsky.social told an Unlock Democracy webinar earlier this year:
"The price politicians who opt to retain First Past the Post will pay is ever more chaotic and unpredictable election results."
H/t Andy Beckett.
Authoritarianism doesn’t happen overnight - it’s measurable.
Join us this Saturday as we talk to Christina Pagel about the Trump Action Tracker, what the data reveals, and why it matters for the UK.
Don’t miss it, register here 👇
shorturl.at/bRenT
Join us this Saturday as we talk to Christina Pagel about the Trump Action Tracker, what the data reveals, and why it matters for the UK.
Don’t miss it, register here 👇
shorturl.at/bRenT
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Authoritarianism doesn’t happen overnight - it’s measurable.
Join us this Saturday as we talk to Christina Pagel about the Trump Action Tracker, what the data reveals, and why it matters for the UK.
Don’t miss it, register here 👇
shorturl.at/bRenT
Join us this Saturday as we talk to Christina Pagel about the Trump Action Tracker, what the data reveals, and why it matters for the UK.
Don’t miss it, register here 👇
shorturl.at/bRenT
It's time for politicians to stop scapegoating human rights.
Human rights laws underpin our daily freedoms, enable ordinary people - of all backgrounds - to hold the state & public bodies accountable, and are fundamental to our democracy.
Read more here 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Human rights laws underpin our daily freedoms, enable ordinary people - of all backgrounds - to hold the state & public bodies accountable, and are fundamental to our democracy.
Read more here 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
It's time for politicians to stop scapegoating human rights.
Human rights laws underpin our daily freedoms, enable ordinary people - of all backgrounds - to hold the state & public bodies accountable, and are fundamental to our democracy.
Read more here 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Human rights laws underpin our daily freedoms, enable ordinary people - of all backgrounds - to hold the state & public bodies accountable, and are fundamental to our democracy.
Read more here 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
It's welcome that the ethics adviser was immediately consulted in relation to Rachel Reeves' breach of home rental rules.
But in future, even when no further action is needed, we should hear that from the Adviser themself, not the PM.
But in future, even when no further action is needed, we should hear that from the Adviser themself, not the PM.
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
It's welcome that the ethics adviser was immediately consulted in relation to Rachel Reeves' breach of home rental rules.
But in future, even when no further action is needed, we should hear that from the Adviser themself, not the PM.
But in future, even when no further action is needed, we should hear that from the Adviser themself, not the PM.
As it stands, the new Ethics & Integrity Commission amounts to little more than "a cosmetic rebrand of a flawed standards regime."
With @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org, @spotlightcorruption.org & @transparencyuk.bsky.social, we're calling for changes to ensure it can actually hold power to account.
With @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org, @spotlightcorruption.org & @transparencyuk.bsky.social, we're calling for changes to ensure it can actually hold power to account.
October 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
As it stands, the new Ethics & Integrity Commission amounts to little more than "a cosmetic rebrand of a flawed standards regime."
With @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org, @spotlightcorruption.org & @transparencyuk.bsky.social, we're calling for changes to ensure it can actually hold power to account.
With @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org, @spotlightcorruption.org & @transparencyuk.bsky.social, we're calling for changes to ensure it can actually hold power to account.
YouGov's latest MRP shows just how broken First Past the Post is.
Were an election held tommorow, 155 MPs would be elected on less than 3 in 10 votes.
On average, an MP would be elected with just 34.4%, and in one seat, the winner would scrape in on only 22.1% (Cardiff East).
Were an election held tommorow, 155 MPs would be elected on less than 3 in 10 votes.
On average, an MP would be elected with just 34.4%, and in one seat, the winner would scrape in on only 22.1% (Cardiff East).
September 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
YouGov's latest MRP shows just how broken First Past the Post is.
Were an election held tommorow, 155 MPs would be elected on less than 3 in 10 votes.
On average, an MP would be elected with just 34.4%, and in one seat, the winner would scrape in on only 22.1% (Cardiff East).
Were an election held tommorow, 155 MPs would be elected on less than 3 in 10 votes.
On average, an MP would be elected with just 34.4%, and in one seat, the winner would scrape in on only 22.1% (Cardiff East).
Young people who begin voting at 16 are more likely to stay voters for life. We can’t wait to see that energy in UK elections 🗳️ #v16 #VotesAt16
September 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Young people who begin voting at 16 are more likely to stay voters for life. We can’t wait to see that energy in UK elections 🗳️ #v16 #VotesAt16
Should someone like Elon Musk be allowed to donate millions of pounds to UK political parties?
We’ve all seen his comments at the weekend.
So far, the govt seems intensely relaxed about mega rich donors like Musk buying outsized influence in our politics.
We say: cap donations, level the field.
We’ve all seen his comments at the weekend.
So far, the govt seems intensely relaxed about mega rich donors like Musk buying outsized influence in our politics.
We say: cap donations, level the field.
September 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Should someone like Elon Musk be allowed to donate millions of pounds to UK political parties?
We’ve all seen his comments at the weekend.
So far, the govt seems intensely relaxed about mega rich donors like Musk buying outsized influence in our politics.
We say: cap donations, level the field.
We’ve all seen his comments at the weekend.
So far, the govt seems intensely relaxed about mega rich donors like Musk buying outsized influence in our politics.
We say: cap donations, level the field.
Trump's state visit is a reminder of how quickly democracy can begin to unravel.
Without proper safeguards, UK democracy is no less vulnerable to subversion.
Great to welcome Rachel Blake MP to discuss how to create a #ResilientDemocracy alongside @radixuk.bsky.social & @compinpolitics.bsky.social
Without proper safeguards, UK democracy is no less vulnerable to subversion.
Great to welcome Rachel Blake MP to discuss how to create a #ResilientDemocracy alongside @radixuk.bsky.social & @compinpolitics.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Trump's state visit is a reminder of how quickly democracy can begin to unravel.
Without proper safeguards, UK democracy is no less vulnerable to subversion.
Great to welcome Rachel Blake MP to discuss how to create a #ResilientDemocracy alongside @radixuk.bsky.social & @compinpolitics.bsky.social
Without proper safeguards, UK democracy is no less vulnerable to subversion.
Great to welcome Rachel Blake MP to discuss how to create a #ResilientDemocracy alongside @radixuk.bsky.social & @compinpolitics.bsky.social
Welcome to the new Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy.
Proof that democracy is something we must both build carefully and keep burning bright 🔥🏛 #KeepTheFlameAlive #DemocracyDay #BuiltToLast #IDD25
Proof that democracy is something we must both build carefully and keep burning bright 🔥🏛 #KeepTheFlameAlive #DemocracyDay #BuiltToLast #IDD25
September 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Welcome to the new Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy.
Proof that democracy is something we must both build carefully and keep burning bright 🔥🏛 #KeepTheFlameAlive #DemocracyDay #BuiltToLast #IDD25
Proof that democracy is something we must both build carefully and keep burning bright 🔥🏛 #KeepTheFlameAlive #DemocracyDay #BuiltToLast #IDD25
🌍 Today is #DemocracyDay.
Democracy isn’t a given — it’s built, protected & improved by us all.
At Unlock Democracy, we fight for a politics that puts power in the hands of the people.
Join us 👇
bit.ly/3IkORJn #IDD
Democracy isn’t a given — it’s built, protected & improved by us all.
At Unlock Democracy, we fight for a politics that puts power in the hands of the people.
Join us 👇
bit.ly/3IkORJn #IDD
September 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
🌍 Today is #DemocracyDay.
Democracy isn’t a given — it’s built, protected & improved by us all.
At Unlock Democracy, we fight for a politics that puts power in the hands of the people.
Join us 👇
bit.ly/3IkORJn #IDD
Democracy isn’t a given — it’s built, protected & improved by us all.
At Unlock Democracy, we fight for a politics that puts power in the hands of the people.
Join us 👇
bit.ly/3IkORJn #IDD
🧵 Trust in politics can only be rebuilt if ethics bodies are independent, empowered & properly funded. Anything less will fail.
Unlock Democracy has told @CommonsPACAC what must change to restore integrity in UK public life.
Here are the key points 👇
Unlock Democracy has told @CommonsPACAC what must change to restore integrity in UK public life.
Here are the key points 👇
September 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
🧵 Trust in politics can only be rebuilt if ethics bodies are independent, empowered & properly funded. Anything less will fail.
Unlock Democracy has told @CommonsPACAC what must change to restore integrity in UK public life.
Here are the key points 👇
Unlock Democracy has told @CommonsPACAC what must change to restore integrity in UK public life.
Here are the key points 👇
A truly independent elections watchdog is important for giving voters confidence that our elections are free and fair.
Having opposed the last government's policy of interference, it’s shameful that Labour is now committed to maintaining political control of the Electoral Commission.
Having opposed the last government's policy of interference, it’s shameful that Labour is now committed to maintaining political control of the Electoral Commission.
September 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A truly independent elections watchdog is important for giving voters confidence that our elections are free and fair.
Having opposed the last government's policy of interference, it’s shameful that Labour is now committed to maintaining political control of the Electoral Commission.
Having opposed the last government's policy of interference, it’s shameful that Labour is now committed to maintaining political control of the Electoral Commission.
You can buy a meeting with a Labour figure for £9,500.
And you can buy breakfast with Nigel Farage for £25,000.
This is cash for access and it poisons our politics.
Businesses pay lots of money to influence the government, which drowns out the voices of ordinary people.
And you can buy breakfast with Nigel Farage for £25,000.
This is cash for access and it poisons our politics.
Businesses pay lots of money to influence the government, which drowns out the voices of ordinary people.
August 8, 2025 at 8:13 AM
You can buy a meeting with a Labour figure for £9,500.
And you can buy breakfast with Nigel Farage for £25,000.
This is cash for access and it poisons our politics.
Businesses pay lots of money to influence the government, which drowns out the voices of ordinary people.
And you can buy breakfast with Nigel Farage for £25,000.
This is cash for access and it poisons our politics.
Businesses pay lots of money to influence the government, which drowns out the voices of ordinary people.
“The traditional foundations of Conservative and Labour politics are not there.”
At this week’s webinar, Prof Sir John Curtice brilliantly explained why the two-party system is breaking down like never before.
Electorally, he argued, “we are in a different world.”
The voting system must catch up.
At this week’s webinar, Prof Sir John Curtice brilliantly explained why the two-party system is breaking down like never before.
Electorally, he argued, “we are in a different world.”
The voting system must catch up.
August 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
“The traditional foundations of Conservative and Labour politics are not there.”
At this week’s webinar, Prof Sir John Curtice brilliantly explained why the two-party system is breaking down like never before.
Electorally, he argued, “we are in a different world.”
The voting system must catch up.
At this week’s webinar, Prof Sir John Curtice brilliantly explained why the two-party system is breaking down like never before.
Electorally, he argued, “we are in a different world.”
The voting system must catch up.
“There is now majority support for electoral reform among the voters of all five principal parties across the UK.”
Fantastic to host the esteemed Prof Sir John Curtice at our joint UD-MVM webinar this week.
If you missed it, you can watch it back here 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXme...
Fantastic to host the esteemed Prof Sir John Curtice at our joint UD-MVM webinar this week.
If you missed it, you can watch it back here 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXme...
July 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
“There is now majority support for electoral reform among the voters of all five principal parties across the UK.”
Fantastic to host the esteemed Prof Sir John Curtice at our joint UD-MVM webinar this week.
If you missed it, you can watch it back here 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXme...
Fantastic to host the esteemed Prof Sir John Curtice at our joint UD-MVM webinar this week.
If you missed it, you can watch it back here 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXme...
Why is the government failing to restore trust in politics? Can they turn things around?
Who better to ask than esteemed political analyst Prof Sir John Curtice.
Join us on Tuesday 29th July for a wide-ranging discussion on the health of British democracy 👇
bit.ly/3IJRQLm
Who better to ask than esteemed political analyst Prof Sir John Curtice.
Join us on Tuesday 29th July for a wide-ranging discussion on the health of British democracy 👇
bit.ly/3IJRQLm
July 25, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Why is the government failing to restore trust in politics? Can they turn things around?
Who better to ask than esteemed political analyst Prof Sir John Curtice.
Join us on Tuesday 29th July for a wide-ranging discussion on the health of British democracy 👇
bit.ly/3IJRQLm
Who better to ask than esteemed political analyst Prof Sir John Curtice.
Join us on Tuesday 29th July for a wide-ranging discussion on the health of British democracy 👇
bit.ly/3IJRQLm
With Parliament now in recess & some MPs head off to the beach, a reminder that - technically - there’s nothing to stop them doing this all year round while still drawing their salary.
A job description for MPs would help to set enforceable minimum standards.
Find out more 👇
youtu.be/LpcpEdA62Gk
A job description for MPs would help to set enforceable minimum standards.
Find out more 👇
youtu.be/LpcpEdA62Gk
July 23, 2025 at 12:34 PM
With Parliament now in recess & some MPs head off to the beach, a reminder that - technically - there’s nothing to stop them doing this all year round while still drawing their salary.
A job description for MPs would help to set enforceable minimum standards.
Find out more 👇
youtu.be/LpcpEdA62Gk
A job description for MPs would help to set enforceable minimum standards.
Find out more 👇
youtu.be/LpcpEdA62Gk
If Boris Johnson had needed to repay his PM’s severance pay after taking a job at the Daily Mail in breach of Acoba rules, he would have been returning £18,660.
His salary is reported to be six figures…
Just one of the flaws in the government’s announcement on standards reform.
His salary is reported to be six figures…
Just one of the flaws in the government’s announcement on standards reform.
July 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
If Boris Johnson had needed to repay his PM’s severance pay after taking a job at the Daily Mail in breach of Acoba rules, he would have been returning £18,660.
His salary is reported to be six figures…
Just one of the flaws in the government’s announcement on standards reform.
His salary is reported to be six figures…
Just one of the flaws in the government’s announcement on standards reform.
Votes at 16 is a big step forward. The evidence from Scotland, where 16 and 17-year olds have had the vote since 2014, is that young people engage strongly with democracy and, when they start voting early, they keep on voting as they get older. That can only boost our democracy.
July 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Votes at 16 is a big step forward. The evidence from Scotland, where 16 and 17-year olds have had the vote since 2014, is that young people engage strongly with democracy and, when they start voting early, they keep on voting as they get older. That can only boost our democracy.