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Accountability and integrity, as well as honesty, selflessness and leadership, demand of our politicians that they own up to their mistakes.
Why not take an opportunity that only comes around once every 15 or 20 years to make real changes to how politics works in this country?
A written constitution sets out the limits of Government power and regulates the relationship between the state and its citizens. It safeguards our rights and freedoms.
We investigated the Life peerage allotments since 2019, and tested the diversity of the appointments.
We asked our supporters for their views on what a Trump win could mean for democracy. We received just under 6,000 responses.
Did anyone think that the problem in UK politics and elections was that there wasn’t enough money sloshing around? Clearly someone did, because the Government has raised the spending cap for political parties from £19 million to £35 million at the next election.
Elections in the UK are some of the most safe and secure anywhere in the world. Out of over 50 million votes cast in 2019, there were TWO proven cases of voter fraud in the UK where a voter’s identity was stolen by another. Voter confidence in the system could scarcely be any higher.
We know think tanks can shape government policy. But we often have no idea who is paying them to do so.
The Prime Minister must reaffirm our commitment to international human rights standards and curtail his enthusiasm for contravening our human rights’ obligations.
New report: Register Every Voter: How Automatic Voter Registration can bring the forgotten millions back into our democracy by Toby S. James Electoral registers are the bedrock of electoral and democratic processes. They are the definitive list of who can vote in an election.
3.5million UK citizens living abroad will be able to vote for the first time at the next election.
A guest post by Alun Drake that asks how did the UK end up in such a mess and how can we get out of it?
As we mark International Day of Democracy, the spectre of democratic backsliding looms. While widespread disdain for politics is understandable, we must overcome it to defend our rights.
No system is perfect, but a proportional electoral system takes account of the fact that every society is a congeries of diverse minorities and individuals, all of whom deserve an equal voice, and that government should not be party-political but should combine the most salient interests from across society in the service of all society. A guest blog by A.C. Grayling.
'The hard thinking has been done, the case has been made within the party, and the British public is crying out for change.'
Unlock Democracy is delighted to welcome its new Honorary President, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, to her post. Baroness Kennedy KC is a leading barrister and an expert in human rights law, civil liberties, and constitutional matters.
There is no requirement for think tanks to be transparent about the sources of their funding. If we can’t follow the money, we can’t be sure whose interests are being pursued. It’s time to let in the light.
There have been concerns about declining levels of democracy and democratic backsliding around the world. Countries such as the United Kingdom have been called upon to support and address this global problem: one of the most important of our time. But democratic erosion can occur within any country.
Past protests have led to powerful steps forward and shaped British history for the better. Repealing anti-protest legislation may take some time, but it will be time well spent - restoring the right to protest is a vital part of democracy, and intrinsic to any positive agenda.
From the day that Unlock Democracy was founded, Universal Human Rights has been one of our key missions.
We strongly support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) of 1950 and the UK Human Rights Act of 1998, that incorporated the rights set out in the ECHR into British law.
As long as we persist with a broken electoral system that distorts the views of the public, sidelining the voices of a majority in order to deliver false governing majorities, we will not be able to rebuild trust in the democratic process.
Very few texts are more important for understanding democracy and the rule of law than national constitutions. The constitutions of France, Norway, and the United States can all be used as examples to show how these nations, despite having extremely dissimilar histories, cultures, and political systems, nonetheless share many features with one another. By comparing and analysing various constitutions, I aim to uncover insights into the workings of democratic societies, gain a broader perspective on democratic principles and practices, and inform efforts to strengthen and improve democracies worldwide.
Labour faced backlash this month for their attack ad targetting the Prime Minister. The ad asked - “Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn’t.”
Nicola Sturgeon shocked the whole of the UK by announcing her decision to resign as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party. A few weeks later, the race to become Scotland's next First Minister is in full swing. The leadership candidates have been debating a variety of topics, but issues of independence and devolution are centre stage.
The photo Voter ID requirements will present a new hurdle to people who plan to vote in the upcoming general election.