Contact and Staff Details

Office Address

Unlock Democracy
Basement
6 Cynthia Street
Islington
London N1 9JF

Tel. 020 7278 4443
Fax. 020 7278 4425

General Queries Email: info*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

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Director: Peter Facey

Peter Facey is the founding Director of Unlock Democracy. Peter became Director of Unlock Democracy’s predecessor organisation the New Politics Network in 2001 and latter also becoming Director of Charter 88 and was responsible for merging the two organisations in 2007.

He has worked in democratic reform, citizenship and participation for over 13 years and was previously Chief Executive of the British Youth Council. He is recognised as an expert in democratic reform and comments widely in the UK media. In the last two years he has given evidence to parliamentary committees on issues as diverse as devolution and decentralisation, lobbying and war powers.

He has established Unlock Democracy as the leading provider of interactive citizenship conferences for 16-19 year olds . He has a particular interest in elections and how get more people involved in the political process. He was a member of the Independent Commission on Voting Methods which reported in 2002 and looked into internet, postal and electronic voting.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4451

Email: peter.facey*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Deputy Director (Parliamentary and Policy Officer): Alexandra Runswick

Alex is responsible for developing the organisation’s parliamentary strategy and building links with MPs.

Alex is the author of a number of policy briefings as well as two pamphlets on party funding reform. Life Support for Local Parties analyses the decline of local political parties and the case for state support while Party Funding – Supporting the Grassroots (with James Graham) explores how party funding can be used to support grassroots activity and how the trade union link could be reformed.

She also specialises in participatory decision-making and how citizens can be involved in constitutional reform. Alex has also worked with the British Council to produce People and Policy-making – a guide for Political Parties, a resource for local political parties on how they can involve the public in policy making.

Her other interests include public participation in health policy and equalities issues.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443 ext 104

Email: alex.runswick*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Director of Campaigns: Ron Bailey

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443

Email: ron.bailey*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Publications and Projects Officer: Bethan Rigby

Bethan organises the production of publications for Unlock Democracy.

Bethan has previously worked for Liberty, Rights of Women and the Centre for
Corporate Accountability.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443 ext 101

Email: bethan.rigby*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Campaigns and Communications Manager: James Graham

James is responsible for campaign materials, web activities and is the main point of contact for any media queries.

Prior to working for the New Politics Network (now part of Unlock Democracy), James was a twice-elected sabbatical Communications Officer for the Liberal Democrat Youth and Students, Campaigns Officer for the Liberal Democrats in Leeds and Press Officer for an MEP.

James’ personal interests include new media, green politics and alternative economics.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443 ext 108

Email: james.graham*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Projects Officer: Matthew Oliver

Matthew is the Project Officer for our Stamp Out Voting Fraud Campaign.

He was previously a Conservative Party Election Agent and has worked in both Houses of Parliament as well as in Public Affairs.

Matthew’s outside interests include hockey, football, cricket, chess, and poker.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443 ext 139

Email: matthew.oliver*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk

Local Works Coordinator: Steve Shaw

Steve is grass roots mass mobilisation specialist. He spent 4 years as Co-ordinator of the Local Works coalition that successfully campaigned for the Sustainable Communities Bill to become law as the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. He now co-ordinates the coalition’s promotion of the Act across the country.

Steve has also worked on parliamentary campaigns, most recently for Friends of the Earth and the Stop Climate Chaos coalition on the Climate Change Bill campaign. That Bill successfully passed its final House of Common’s stage on 28 October 2008. He has also worked in Parliament as an All-Party Group Co-ordinator. Steve grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to England as a teenager. He studied Economics at Exeter University and worked in consultancy in the City of London before becoming involved in political campaigns.

Phone +44 (0) 20 7278 4443 ext 106

Email: steve.shaw*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk