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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Labour's attack ad targetting the Prime Minister

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.”

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Democracy in Scotland - thoughts from our supporters

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.


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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

The anniversary of Charter 77

Forty-six years ago today, in January 1977, the Charter 77 movement began in Czechoslovakia. Charter 77 was a document that criticised the Czechoslovak government for violating human rights such as the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and religious freedom.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

As a campaign organisation, dependent in substantial part on members’ and supporters’ donations, Unlock Democracy is careful to look after the pennies and avoid duplicating effort with partners.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

A disappointing ‘fresh start’

In his first speech as Prime Minister on the 25th of October, Rishi Sunak promised that “this government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.”

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Time for the public to decide?

Liz Truss’ first month as Prime Minister has been eventful to say the least. Alongside her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, Liz Truss has announced new policies across the spectrum. These policies range from lifting the ban on fracking, to major tax cuts.


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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

A low point for trust in politics

It’s been a chaotic week in British politics. Boris Johnson was forced to resign as Prime Minister after a flurry of ministerial resignations left him unable to govern. He remains as Prime Minister until the Conservative Party elect their new leader. For years to come, there will be vociferous and partisan debate about Boris Johnson's legacy.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Youth Citizen Assemblies- How would they improve our democracy?

Young people are fired up about many social issues, but traditional politics doesn’t seem to be offering the solutions we need. Youth assemblies may be one of the solutions to creating a more accessible political arena where all voices are not only heard, but hold power.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

A disappointing Queen’s Speech: Thoughts from our supporters

More than a month has passed since the Government set out its legislative priorities in the Queen’s Speech. The Queen’s Speech was the perfect opportunity for the Government to announce measures to strengthen and modernise our democracy. New measures to promote accountability and transparency could have brought an end to months of scandal at the heart of Government.

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Tom Brake Tom Brake

Proportional representation - tropes and triumphs

Unlock Democracy, with fellow campaign organisations like Conservative Action for Electoral Reform, the Electoral Reform Society and Make Votes Matter, support proportional representation (PR) for Westminster elections as an alternative to FPTP.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Queen’s Speech Fails to Unlock Democracy

Yesterday’s headlines on the Queen’s Speech were dominated by references to Her Majesty’s absence, for only the third time in her reign, from this major constitutional and political event.

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Shaun Roberts Shaun Roberts

Time to Bring PartyGate to an End

his Prime Minister is still ducking any accountability and now MPs have started yet another investigation into his behaviour to look at whether he lied to Parliament?

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