If Unlock Democracy’s predecessor organisation Charter 88 had not been set up, it is doubtful that many of the major changes to the UK’s democracy in the past decade would have happened. Charter 88 helped to set the agenda for reforms such as the Human Rights Act, the Freedom of Information Act and devolution in Scotland, Wales and London.
Unlock Democracy is continuing to campaign for democratic reform, and is currently working in a number of key project areas:
Put citizens at the heart of our democracy – Through initiatives such as the Sustainable Communities Act, Electoral Choice Bill and the Citizens’ Convention Bill which enable citizens – not politicians – to set the agenda.
Challenge unaccountable and unscrutinised use of prerogative powers – The Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Armed Conflict) Bill, which was tabled by Clare Short in the Commons in 2005, sought to give Parliament a vote on sending troops into armed conflict – the most important decision any state can make. The government is now taking this forward as part of the Governance of Britain project.
Guaranteeing our rights and freedoms in a written constitution – the people themselves should have a central role in drawing up such a document via a citizens’ convention.
End the 95 year wait for House of Lords reform – Elect the Lords is a cross party campaign supported by MPs and organisations from across the political spectrum. We have been enormously successful in keeping the pressure on the government. Now we need your help to make sure that we win the vote later this year.
