Baroness Helena Kennedy KC announced as Honorary President

For immediate release
London, 20 July 2023

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC announced as Honorary President of Unlock Democracy
Distinguished barrister and constitutional expert to team up with cross-party pressure group

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. In 1997, she was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws.

A committed advocate for constitutional reform, Kennedy was a founding member and former Chair of Charter 88, Unlock Democracy’s predecessor. She was instrumental in persuading the Labour Party to adopt some of Chater 88’s proposals in their 1997 General Election manifesto, including its devolution programme, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and reform of the House of Lords.

Kennedy is also a renowned broadcaster, journalist, and author. Her publications include Eve Was Framed: Women and British Justice, and Just Law: The Changing Face of Justice and Why It Matters To Us All.

On taking up her new role, Baroness Kennedy KC, commented: “I am very pleased to be able to give my support to Unlock Democracy, a worthy successor to Charter 88 which I chaired from 1992 to 1997. 

“With strong evidence of democratic backsliding in the UK, there has never been a greater need for an organisation like Unlock Democracy which puts democratic reforms, and a written constitution for the UK, at the heart of its campaigns.”

Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy, added: “I am delighted that Baroness Kennedy has agreed to come on board. Her wealth of expertise and experience will be invaluable to Unlock Democracy’s campaign to renew the UK’s creaking democracy.”

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, please email press@unlockdemocracy.org.uk or call 07958 536377.