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Tom Brake Tom Brake

How Trump’s Actions in the US Could Push the UK Towards Constitutional Reform

In the past six months, the topic of UK constitutional reform has become more prominent than ever. Why? The turbulent tenure of President Donald Trump in the US has shone a spotlight on the shortcomings of constitutional checks and balances. A worrying trend has emerged, marking a decline in respect for the constitutional principles that had once been considered sacrosanct in the American political system.

Similarly, the UK - whilst not facing the same degree of constitutional erosion - has also experienced worrying signs of democratic backsliding. The traditional reliance on conventions and unwritten rules has exposed cracks in our constitutional set-up.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Why so timid?

2021 was the beginning of the end of Boris Johnson and the start of Keir Starmer’s march to power. But for much of 2021, things looked very different, with the Conservatives holding a 10-point lead with YouGov as late as mid October. What changed all this?

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

A young person’s views on voter apathy

As a sixteen-year-old, I am becoming more aware of how I am affected directly by decisions made by the government, alongside those made by voters, whose choices affect me and my peers.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Courts and constitution stand between Trump and autocracy

The United States of America prides itself on its constitution and democratic traditions. Just a month into President Trump’s second term, it’s clear that these are going to be tested in a way they’ve never been in more than 200 years. 

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Cancelling elections is wrong!

For many people, the 2025 Council Elections will be the first opportunity in four years to have their say on their local councillor and on who’s been running their Council.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Government must act to keep foreign money out of UK politics

Elon Musk is not the problem. At least, to be more precise, when it comes to political donations, Musk is not the problem. The problem is the framework of law that would allow any foreign citizen living abroad to make a multi-million pound donation, via a UK company, to a UK political party.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

A rude awakening on donations

The world’s richest man is threatening to donate £79million to Reform UK. 

There is no limit on political donations in our country. If someone wants to buy into UK politics in a big way, there’s nothing to stop them.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Unlock Democracy in Conversation with Jennifer Nadel

We hosted a webinar with Jennifer Nadel, co-founder and director of Compassion in Politics. Compassion in Politics is an organisation dedicated to creating a political system for the UK that is guided by empathy, fairness, and integrity.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Parliament Week: Youth Representation Matters

For young people’s voices to be heard by politicians, we need a stronger presence in Parliament. Unlock Democracy Council Members Chanté O'Shaughnessy and Luke Williams make the case for youth representation.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Overseas voters deserve an equal right to vote

At this summer’s general election, only just over half of the votes of all registered postal voters living overseas were counted. Many were denied that right. But as a new report demonstrates, solutions are at hand.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Is First Past the Post a threat to US democracy?

It’s been a frequent refrain from Democrats at this US Presidential election that “democracy is on the ballot”. But is another challenge for US democracy not just on the ballot, but how the votes will be counted?

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

The United States Election: An American's Perspective

Democracy in the United States is currently in a rather poor state, and polarisation amongst the Conservative and Democratic parties is a large part of the problem. There are three areas where this can be seen the most–the economy, immigration, and abortion.

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