Unlock Democracy

Unlock Democracy
PredecessorCharter 88/New Politics Network
Formation2007; 17 years ago (2007)
TypeNon-governmental organisation
PurposeDemocratic reform
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Director
Tom Brake
Websiteunlockdemocracy.org.uk

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]

  1. ^ "Contact". Unlock Democracy. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. ^ "What We Want". Unlock Democracy. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Ekklesia | Unlock Democracy launches vote match tool for Labour leadership contest". www.ekklesia.co.uk. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ^ "UD Evidence to APPG for Reform, Decentralisation and Devolution" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Unlock Democracy: what we do". politics.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. ^ "FAQ". Unlock Democracy. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Author Page". openDemocracy. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  8. ^ Macmillen, Sandy. "Library Services: Politics: United Kingdom". library.essex.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Unlocking democracy has never been so vital". openDemocracy. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Tom Brake, Former MP, Appointed As Director Of Unlock Democracy". openDemocracy. Retrieved 6 October 2020.