Predecessor | Charter 88/New Politics Network |
---|---|
Formation | 2007 |
Type | Non-governmental organisation |
Purpose | Democratic reform |
Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Director | Tom Brake |
Website | unlockdemocracy |
Unlock Democracy is a British pressure group, based in London.[1] The organisation campaigns for a more participatory democracy in Britain, founded upon a written constitution.[2] Unlock Democracy works to promote democratic reform across the political spectrum and is not aligned with any political party.[3][4] The organisation's activities include producing a range of publications, lobbying politicians and political parties and working on projects to promote greater public involvement in politics, at both local and national levels.[5]
Unlock Democracy is led by a governing council, elected by all members biannually. The council in turn elects its own chair and a management board which oversees the day to day running of the organisation. It is funded from three main sources: grant income for specific projects from various foundations and trusts, subscriptions and donations from its members and supporters, and income from its subsidiary company Rodell Properties Ltd.[6]
The founding director was Peter Facey, who was director of Unlock Democracy's predecessor organisation the New Politics Network in 2001 and later becoming director of Charter 88.[7] He was responsible for the merger of the two organisations in 2007.[8][9] Being succeeded as director in 2013 by long-time Deputy Director Alexandra Runswick, who led the organisation until early 2020.
In October 2020, former Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake was appointed as the new director of Unlock Democracy.[10]