Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 25m

A free press is a vital part of a functioning democracy.

That means all sides accommodating critical voices.

Even the appearance of Labour and the Conservatives trying to stifle dissent at their party conferences sets us on a dangerous path.

bylinetimes.com/2025/10/08/c...

Conservatives Accused of ‘Trumpian’ Tactics After Barring Second Byline Times Journalist From Conference

Veteran award-winning investigative journalist David Hencke has attended Conservative party conference since 1987 but is now hundreds of pounds out of pocket after being blocked from attending

bylinetimes.com

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 4h

Constitutions live or die on politicians’ respect for the rules above personal or party interest.

Whether it’s gerrymandering electoral districts or restricting the franchise, when one side tries to rig the game in its favour, the whole system is put at risk.

unlockdemocracy.org.uk/blog1/2025/1...

Trump’s gerrymandering war: reflections from the UK — Unlock Democracy

President Trump kickstarted a gerrymandering war by instructing Texas Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional districts and Democrat Gavin Newsom responding with retaliatory redistricting in…

unlockdemocracy.org.uk

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Reposted by Unlock Democracy

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · 1d

Lovely to talk referendums with the ever-insightful David Runciman. This is part of a series on how to fix democracy's problems - definitely worth a listen if you haven't done so yet!

Past Present Future Podcast @ppfideas.bsky.social · 3d

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!

In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?

Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks to @politico.eu for highlighting our joint letter to Darren Jones in this week's London Influence.

The full text of the letter, complete with recommendations, is here 👇
unlockdemocracy.org.uk/s/Joint-Lett...

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 6d

Voters think UK politics is becoming more corrupt.

That's why alongside @spotlightcorruption.org, @transparencyuk.bsky.social & more, we’re urging the govt to ensure the new Ethics & Integrity Commission is:

✔️ Independent
✔️ Properly resourced
✔️ Backed w/ real powers
www.politico.eu/newsletter/p...

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

In an age of multi-party politics, First Past the Post means more and more MPs elected on tiny fractions of the vote - while millions of voters are left unrepresented.

The case for electoral reform has never been clearer.

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

Here’s the distribution of winning shares across all 631 projected seats:

▪️ 12 seats won on 20-24.9%
▪️ 143 seats on 25-29.9%
▪️ 236 seats on 30-34.9%
▪️ 148 seats on 35-39.9%
▪️ Only 92 seats clear 40%

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

YouGov's latest MRP shows just how broken First Past the Post is.

Were an election held tommorow, 155 MPs would be elected on less than 3 in 10 votes.

On average, an MP would be elected with just 34.4%, and in one seat, the winner would scrape in on only 22.1% (Cardiff East).

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 13d

Young people who begin voting at 16 are more likely to stay voters for life. We can’t wait to see that energy in UK elections 🗳️ #v16 #VotesAt16

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Reposted by Unlock Democracy

Yorkshire Bylines @yorkshirebylines.co.uk · 16d

✍️ Tracking Trump’s actions

Democracy under siege: how Trump’s authoritarian playbook threatens both US and European institutions

By Helen Johnston

@hj4euinspain.bsky.social

Tracking Trump’s actions

Democracy under siege: how Trump’s authoritarian playbook threatens both US and European institutions

yorkshirebylines.co.uk

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 20d

Should someone like Elon Musk be allowed to donate millions of pounds to UK political parties?

We’ve all seen his comments at the weekend.

So far, the govt seems intensely relaxed about mega rich donors like Musk buying outsized influence in our politics.

We say: cap donations, level the field.

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 21d

Trump's state visit is a reminder of how quickly democracy can begin to unravel.

Without proper safeguards, UK democracy is no less vulnerable to subversion.

Great to welcome Rachel Blake MP to discuss how to create a #ResilientDemocracy alongside @radixuk.bsky.social & @compinpolitics.bsky.social

Left to right: Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy; Jennifer Nadel, Director of Compassion in Politics; Rachel Blake, Member of Parliament for Cities of London & Westminster; Ben Rich, CEO, Radix Big Tent

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Reposted by Unlock Democracy

Radix Big Tent - RBT @radixuk.bsky.social · 21d

Our #ResilientDemocracy conference kicks off this morning in conjunction with @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social and @compinpolitics.bsky.social
🎙

Bringing together organisations across the spectrum that champion our democracy to examine how upcoming legislation can strengthen our democratic values 📜🗳️

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 22d

Ironic that the Defending Democracy Taskforce won’t open up its work to democratic scrutiny.

With staff numbers falling, no dedicated budget & declining ministerial interest, it’s hard not to conclude that defending democracy is slipping down the government’s agenda.
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/16/k...

Keir Starmer's 'Democracy Taskforce' Tackling Foreign Interference Accused of Dodging Democratic Scrutiny

Critics say the Government's refusal to publish meeting minutes or agendas undermines democratic oversight of body established to protect UK from foreign political interference

bylinetimes.com

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

Welcome to the new Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy.

Proof that democracy is something we must both build carefully and keep burning bright 🔥🏛 #KeepTheFlameAlive #DemocracyDay #BuiltToLast #IDD25

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

Democracy isn’t perfect - but it’s ours to shape.

💡 What's the one change you would make to strengthen UK democracy?

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

For the full report, head here 👇
citizen-network.org/library/demo...

Citizen Network: Democracy SOS

For democracy to function, it must enable citizens to participate meaningfully in shaping their own governance.

citizen-network.org

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

'Democracy SOS', a new report from @henrytam.bsky.social for @citizennetwork.bsky.social, puts forward some bold ideas for how government could secure and strengthen our democracy to unleash the full potential of people across the UK 👇

bylinetimes.com/2025/09/15/g...

Give Big Fines to Firms Like X Promoting Hate and Disinformation, Democracy Groups Urge PM

Without radical change, voters will "give their support to demagogues and extremists who crave power to further their own ends" the authors warn

bylinetimes.com

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

To mark International Day of Democracy, we've co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to overhaul the relationship between government and people and to introduce a radical programme of democratisation.

leftfootforward.org/2025/09/excl...

EXCLUSIVE: Pro-democracy campaigners call on PM to lead a democratic revolution as new report outlines ‘8-point plan to save democracy’

To mark International Day of Democracy today, campaigners are calling on the Prime Minister to overhaul the relationship between government and people

leftfootforward.org

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 23d

🌍 Today is #DemocracyDay.

Democracy isn’t a given — it’s built, protected & improved by us all.

At Unlock Democracy, we fight for a politics that puts power in the hands of the people.

Join us 👇
bit.ly/3IkORJn #IDD

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 27d

Bottom line: without strong, independent watchdogs, trust in politics will continue to suffer.

Read our full submission here 👇 committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...

committees.parliament.uk

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 27d

5/ The EIC should coordinate standards bodies, promote the Nolan Principles & publish annual reports. But without teeth, it risks being another talking shop.

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 27d

4/ Reforms needed:

✅ Binding rules on ex-ministers/civil servants taking jobs
✅ A transparency portal for ministers’ & advisers’ meetings
✅ Stronger lobbying laws covering think tanks & in-house lobbyists

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 27d

3/ Current standards system is too weak:

❌ Ministers can ignore their ethics adviser
❌ ACOBA has no enforcement power
❌ Lobbying rules leave huge gaps

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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 27d

2/ The new Ethics & Integrity Commission (EIC) must pass 3 tests:

⚖️ Real powers
💬 Full government backing
💰 Proper resources

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