Democracy Network

< All bulletins

UK Democracy Bulletin, November 2024

Crowd of people clapping
Involve’s 20th anniversary celebrations (Credit: Involve)

Issue #66 — Monday 11th November 2024

We apologise for the delay to this month’s Bulletin due to team illness.

Monthly news, jobs, grants and gossip from across the democracy sector, brought to you by James Moulding and Max Roche of the UK Democracy Network. Read by 400+ democracy organisations. We read everyone’s newsletters & research so you don’t have to. If you want us to cover yours, let us know: hello@democracynetwork.org.uk

How you can get involved right now! Do these things 👇

  1. Join the Democracy Network as a member
  2. Introduce yourself on the Democracy Network WhatsApp Community
  3. Sign up to upcoming events (and our upcoming Christmas Party)
  4. See the latest democracy jobs & add your own
  5. Check available democracy funding
  6. Explore the Democracy Map
  7. Post to the UK Democracy Forum Mailing List

Highlights

  • Notwestminster is back 15th February in Huddersfield
  • Modernisation Committee sector organisations convene around call for views
  • Public Interest News Foundation launch Local News Commission
  • Anti-protest laws Liberty’s legal challenge continues
  • Votes at 16 plans for campaigns and implementation launched
  • Newport Rising remembering 185 years since the Chartist rising
  • Involve celebrate 20th anniversary
  • House of Lords coalition of organisations call for reform
  • UK Parliament Week running 18–24 November 2024

Thanks to our contributors

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Democracy Check-In. We were joined by Emma de Souza — Civic Initiative, Allan Gray — Zero Hour, Steve Gilmore — Makes Votes Matter, Annabel Mullin — Elect Her, F J Malinen — Research for Action, Gavin Barker — Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, Titus Alexander — Democracy Matters, Katy Rubin — The People Act: Legislative Theatre, Róise Blaney — Migrant Democracy Project, Tom Brake — Unlock Democracy, Lead Donaldson — Association for Citizenship Teaching, Harriet Andrews — The Politics Project, Ellen Berry — UK Democracy Fund, Alistair Binnie Lubbock — Sortition Foundation, Paul Thistlethwaite — Thinking Box and Diane Sims — Association of Democratic Services Officers.

#DemocracyJobs

Featured Job Listings across the Democracy Sector. View the full database of upcoming job listings here — have we missed any? Add them via this form.

Rolling deadlines

Apply ASAP

Upcoming roles

Offers & Needs

Local Trust, Demos and Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research invite submissions on community regeneration

Local Trust is running a new essay competition in tandem with Demos and CRESR, looking at innovative ideas on community regeneration. Entrants must submit a 2,500 word essay on the following: ‘What is your policy idea for turning the most socially and economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in England into thriving communities, what is the evidence behind it, and how might it best be successfully implemented with maximum impact?’ The winner will receive £5,000 and two runners up will receive £1,000. Deadline 10th January 2025. Apply now.

Advanced Apprenticeship seeking applicants

Democracy Network and Happy Ltd are offering a new Level 5 Advanced Apprenticeship for change agents, leaders and managers, delivered by Titus Alexander — find out more information and book a taster session.

Are you working with 16–19 year olds? Associate for Citizenship Teaching want to hear from you

ACT are conducting research on the efficacy of GCSE Citizenship Studies on young people’s levels of democratic engagement and participation — find out more here.

Looking to upgrade your deliberation or facilitation skills? Involve has the training for you

Involve are running two 3.5 hour long training ‘masterclass’ sessions, Facilitation 101 and Deliberative Democracy 101, at the end of this month. The sessions are donation-based Pay-What-You-Feel, find out more information here.

Funding Democracy

Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust publish latest grant awards
JRRT is funding a number of new projects to keep an eye on:

The Autonomy Institute has got funding to work on a new tool to facilitate greater transparency and accountability between the UK Government and its contractors.

50:50 NI’s Hear Her Project has also received £30,100 to implement a new comprehensive training programme designed to address gender disparity in political representation in Northern Ireland.

Police Spies Out of Lives have garnered £87,750 for the duration of the remaining tranches of the Undercover Policing Inquiry, to support their members through the evidential stages of the process and bring public attention to the misogynistic abuse and assault on democracy by political undercover policing.

My Life My Say has received £75,840 in funding to build a largely parliamentary-facing campaign around lowering the voting age.

Unlock Democracy have won £10,000 to put on a conference in which democracy sector organisations will agree on a set of core campaign proposals, centering on the themes of electoral reform, open and responsive democracy, and a thriving democratic culture.

JRSST Charitable Trust also published their most recent grantees
The JRSST Charitable Trust is a small charitable trust set up by JRRT in 1955, which operates as a connected but independent Trust. Their grantees included:

Campaign for Freedom of Information Scotland — £29k over 18 months to support a Member’s Bill to reform the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FoISA).

Sarah Shair-Rosenfield at the University of York, who is to undertake work to better understand public attitudes towards abuse and harassment of candidates through a set of survey experiments. The findings of which will help scholars and policymakers understand public reactions to the kinds of threats and violence that are increasingly directed towards political candidates in the UK.

Spotlight on Corruption, who have received £34,896 to support their work to push for reform to the UK’s framework for upholding political integrity.

Engender launch new project to understand Scottish women councillors experiences of sexism
The new research project aims to understand the experiences of everyday sexism, misogyny & VAW within the council environment. Engender is currently in the process of hiring a consultant with an understanding of Scottish local government women’s underrepresentation in politics, and feminist analysis of VAW.

UK Democracy Fund host day of grantee reflection focused on lessons learnt from GE2024

In October, UK Democracy Fund brought together 43 people from their grantee and wider voter engagement community to reflect on GE2024 and look ahead to new challenges posed.

Robert Bosch Stiftung launches new economic inequality fund

The new fund, which allows UK organisations to apply, has launched a call for proposals for grants between €100,000 to €400,000 per applying organisation or coalition. The funding round closes on 15th December 2024. Check out the Robert Bosch Stiftung Building Power For Economic Justice Fund.

Democracy Sector

Convening opportunity around the Modernisation Committee

The Modernisation Committee is a newly announced cross-party committee of MPs that will consider reforms to the House of Commons procedures, standards and working practices. Earlier this month, the Committee launched a call for views. Democracy Network has organised two calls, earlier on Nov 5th, and an upcoming call on Nov 13th (sign up) to convene those planning around the new Committee.

Unlock Democracy are also working with the Civil Society Alliance and former civil servant Caroline Slocock with a view to submitting a response on the Modernisation Committee.

Democracy Coworking — Cardiff & London

Join us in Cardiff for our next Democracy Coworking & Drinks at the Welsh Millenium Centre on November 20th — Register now. London Democracy Coworking continues November 29th at Newspeak House — Register now.

Democracy Network Christmas Party, 6th December

The Democracy Network is hosting a Christmas bash in London on the 6th December, replete with nibbles & drinks included in the cost of your ticket — register now!

Democracy Network Steering Group met for in-person strategy day

Last month, the Democracy Network Steering Group, elected by members earlier in the year, met to discuss fundraising plans for the network and refreshing the Network’s strategy. Stay tuned for more developments on this soon, plus a blog! They’re meeting again soon later in December.

The People Act — new online hub for legislative theatre launches

The People Act is a new hub that brings together legislative theatre case studies, videos, resources, news and more. The new site contains everything you need to get started with Legislative Theatre and to use this playful, innovative and people powered process wherever you are — check it out now.

Association of Democratic Services Officers Conference, 25–26 November

The Association of Democratic Services Officers annual conference is fast approaching, Diane Sims reports. This year they celebrate their first ever CEO of ADSO and their new report, ‘Working in a Modern Democracy’. The report explores what people who work in councils and other organisations think about our changing democracy. ADSO also lauded the new changes to allow for local authorities to hold remote or hybrid meetings, more details below! Find out more information on ADSO and the conference here.

Elect Her upcoming events, new research, evolving roadmap

Elect Her are now running free training events for women seeking to stand for election in the 2026 Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections. New research suggests parliamentary gender quotas sharply improve maternal mortality rates by as much as 7–12% on a sustained basis! Ongoing concern that women’s representation in Parliament will fall from current 40% numbers in future parliaments, as local and regional levels sit at 34% or less.

Editor’s note — key takeaway from today’s Bulletin: Elect Her are advancing their impressive systematic reform roadmap, a considerable piece of work that will help focus and improve efforts for equal representation — email Elect Her for more information.

Migrant Democracy Project MPower candidate training open to applications

Applications are now open for this year’s MPower political leadership programme run by Migrant Democracy Project, to equip first generation migrant political candidates with the skills they need to stand for election — apply here and share the opportunity. Meanwhile, Welwyn Hatfield and Lambeth have become the 14th and 15th local authorities to call on the government to extend the right to vote to all residents.

mySociety hiring Head of Fundraising (maternity cover)

With Alice Williams heading off on maternity (congratulations!), mySociety are seeking a new Head of Fundraising (maternity cover), with a deadline of 15th December — Are you up to the task? Apply now.

Black Equity Organisation’s Black Britain Mandate launches

Black Britain’s Mandate is a new initiative by Black Equity Organisation to reshape the landscape of racial equity in the UK. The mandate puts forward key policy demands aimed at fostering a more just, inclusive, and equitable society for Britain’s Black African, Caribbean, and mixed-heritage communities, they say. Find out more about the project here, watch the launch and read the founding document.

UK Parliament Week: 18th-24th November 2024
Run by the UK Parliamentary Education and Engagement Team and taking place this November, UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is an annual event, spreading the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved. UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is a great opportunity to empower young people to use their voices and participate in their democracy both locally and in Westminster!

Electoral Commission to publish key report on 2024 General Election this week

The report to be published this week by the Electoral Commission will include a full analysis of the vote and is recommended reading for those working on or around election activities — keep your eyes peeled.

Jon Alexander launches new Citizen Collective network

The new Citizen Collective project kicked off by Jon Alexander, author of CITIZENS, aims to be a community of practice ‘of those leading and learning for a Citizen Future’. The network will include regular introductory calls, a Discord channel, monthly spotlight calls highlighting members and organisations in the community and a regular workshop space to discuss live challenges and questions. Explore and sign up to the Citizen Collective now.

Hope Not Hate report identifies drivers of fear and hope in the UK

The new report, Fear and Hope 2024: The Case for Community Resilience, published by Hope Not Hate, is the latest in their Fear and Hope series spanning more than 13 years. In this latest iteration, they review the past 14 years of public attitudes and provide recommendations for how policymakers can improve the resilience of local identity as a bulwark against the ‘permissive environment’ which is normalising anti-multiculturalism, as well as anti-Muslim and anti-migrant hatred, they say.

Parliament and Newport remembers the Newport Rising

185 years ago this week, more than 20 Chartists lost their lives marching on the Westgate Hotel in Newport as thousands descended on the town as part of the fight for the right to vote and the right of ordinary people to have their voices heard. The Newport Rising was the last armed rebellion against authority in Britain and played a key role in the formation of modern British democracy. Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East led the House of Commons in tribute to their sacrifice on the anniversary of the Rising. Earlier this month thousands took part in a torchlit march through the streets of Newport in remembrance.

Newport Rising (Photo credit: Our Chartist Heritage)

Democratic Business Summit to take place in December

The Centre for Democratic Business, a new Stir to Action project, is hosting the Democratic Business Summit on the 4th of December in Cardiff. With Labour promising to ‘double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy’, the festival this year offers a crucial opportunity to help advance the agenda and ensure Labour invests the funds to grow the sector, they argue. Grab your tickets here.

Involve celebrates 20 years

Last month Involve marked its 20th anniversary with an evening of lively discussions, reflection and celebration, bringing together past participants from citizens assemblies, juries, processes and projects to look back on two decades of achievements. Check out their interactive timeline detailing Involve’s work over the period.

Involve seeking independent evaluator

The Involve Foundation is seeking an independent evaluator for their new School for Everyday Democracy project. The total budget for this tender is £45,000, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, with work taking place between December 2024 and March 2028. Find out more about the opportunity here.

Common Sense to launch ‘Understanding UK Politics’ politics podcast

A new podcast from Common Sense hopes to demystify UK politics for listeners. The podcast will cover important things such as how laws are made and what makes the main political parties different from one another. A useful educational tool, the podcast offers a great way for listeners to get hold of the basics — so keep your eyes peeled for the release.

UK election well-run and transparent, say Commonwealth Election Observers

An Election Assessment Mission Report of the 2024 UK General Election, conducted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, has been published based on the observation carried out at 263 polling stations. The Mission expressed high satisfaction with the administration of the election (deemed good or very good in 96% of polling stations), voters’ understanding of procedures (98% good or very good at 98%) and the transparency of the election process (99%).

Devolved Democracy / Local Democracy

Save the date: Notwestminster is back, Saturday 15th February

Notwestminster 2025 is a free annual event in Huddersfield for anyone who has something positive to say about local democracy — and everyone who is working to make democracy better wherever you are. Find out more and sign up to their mailing list to stay tuned.

Talking Shop Blackwood is re-opening!

After a hiatus, Talking Shop is back in Blackwood in South Wales, opening from December 2nd 2024.

Talking Shop is a democratic and cultural information centre, created by Yvonne Murphy/Omidaze and hosted and facilitated six days a week by trained professional freelance artists and creatives, Democracy Box young co-creators and co-hosts from collaborating and partner organisations. It is a long running experiment of cultural transformation and democratic participation that aims to expand into new towns and cities.

Labour Together and New Local discuss avenues for public service devolution

A new report from New Labour — Public Service Reform and Devolution — looks at the immediate steps Keir Starmer could take to undo the over-centralisation of UK public service provision. Getting this right, they say, could help Labour achieve its growth mission and build stronger and more efficient public services across the country.

Fearless Cities summit held in Sheffield

Research for Action, Citizen Network and a whole host of organisations came together to deliver the Fearless Cities summit earlier this month. Find out more on how it went here.

Civic Initiative held NI Citizens Forum on Housing

The three-day Citizens Forum deliberative process on November 2nd with participants recruited via postal lottery focused on making housing policy recommendations for Northern Ireland. The Civic Initiative is a participatory structure that brings together a wide range of civic society organisations to deliver citizen-led deliberative dialogues. Find out more.

Government to allow virtual council attendance, ends councillor home address publishing

Finally, the long running Local Government Association campaign #DebateNotHate has borne fruit — with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announcing councillors home address will no longer be published. They also announced changes to allow for virtual council session attendance in a significant boost for accessibility at the local government level. See the LGA’s writeup.

Carnegie Trust report signals lowest ever trust in Scottish government and politics

The Life in the UK Index published by Carnegie UK measures collective wellbeing across democratic, social, economic and environmental indicators. The research, focused on Scotland, found record low levels of trust in government and politics, with over three quarters feeling they have no influence over decisions that impact the UK. Read the report.

Community Wealth Fund for Cornwall finalise proposal

The project aims to promote economic democracy and a strong local economy and has received significant support from local community organisations in Cornwall. Cornwall Council were initially very interested in the idea but have now cooled on the plan. View the two page summary or the full proposal here. Contact Gavin Barker of the Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum for more information.

Federal Trust host discussion on present state of centralisation in UK governance

Professor John Denham and Glyndwr Jones recently hosted a discussion on the present state of the United Kingdom, arguing that the new government will only be able to bring about economic growth and better public services by the decentralisation of the UK as a whole and a parallel decentralisation of English governance — Explore the work of the Federal Trust here.

Whitehall is ‘resistant’ to greater devolution, says West Midlands Mayor

The new Mayor for the West Midlands, Richard Parker, has accused the civil service of being ‘resistant’ to government plans for further devolution — although he said Labour’s top brass were ‘absolutely behind the policy’. For an in depth discussion of the devolution agenda and how it is evolving, check out this upcoming online event with UK in a Changing Europe and The Centre on Constitutional Change on November 14th.

Civic Education & Young People

Democracy Classroom host strategy away day

Last week, The Politics Project convened over 80 organisations from across the civic education community in the UK, with organisations ranging from the Electoral Commission, to Naked Politics, Education Scotland, Young Muslims in Politics, Association for Citizenship Teachers, Reclaim and more. The day focused on learning and reflection from the 2024 GE and planning and convening around the curriculum review, the campaign to lower the voting age and work around its implementation. See more information about Democracy Classroom.

Democracy Classroom Strategy Away Day (Photo credit: Democracy Classroom)

Association for Citizenship Teaching are running a survey on the curriculum review

Earlier this year the Labour Government announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review. Now, the Association for Citizenship Teaching are requesting views on the possible implementation of any new changes. Their campaign Make Space for Citizenship aims to ensure citizenship education enjoys a more prominent role in the new curriculum changes, rather than, as they argue, its somewhat marginalised role at present.

My Life My Say to campaign to lower the voting age

At the recent Democracy Classroom strategy day (above), My Life My Say announced their upcoming campaign to build a broad coalition of groups to develop a campaign, co-created and co-led by young people, to push for Votes at 16 and ensure it remains on the government’s agenda. Stay tuned to find out more.

The Politics Project to convene sector around implementation of Votes at 16

With My Life My Say making the case for Votes at 16, The Politics Project will be convening civic education groups to provide information and advice to lawmakers on the implementation on the policy, particularly around the required timing of the legislation. Contact The Politics Project to find out more.

Democratic Reform & Innovation

Democracy Network and other organisations sign open letter calling for further action on Lords Reform

The Democracy Network and other organisations including Unlock Democracy, Sortition Foundation, Involve, 38 Degrees, Compass, and others, have signed an open letter published in the Guardian calling on the government to go further in their reform of the House of Lords. Whilst welcoming the proposed end of hereditary Peers, the coalition of organisations want a proper consultation on the future of the Lords — as promised in their manifesto — via a representative citizens’ assembly.

Labour confirms plans to reform Mayor and PPC voting system with upcoming White Paper

At the Local Government Association conference earlier this month, government minister Jim McMahon suggested that the upcoming White Paper on Devolution will address the use of First Past the Post for electing Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners. Labour for a New Democracy celebrated this ‘a small step in the right direction’, adding this should create further opportunities to engage with the government about First Past the Post at other elections.

Lib Dems plan to force vote on elected House of Lords

The Liberal Democrats plan to amend the Government’s bill that would end the tradition of hereditary peers and make reforms go further. Labour said in 2022 they would replace the House of Lords with an elected chamber, but these changes did not make it into their manifesto this year, opting for age limits and abolition of hereditary peers.

Electoral Reform Society celebrates recent policy wins

The government has recently announced that Veterans’ ID cards will now be available for voters to use as ID in the next local elections, and Hereditary Peers will be leaving the House of Lords. The Electoral Reform Society has hailed both as positive democratic changes but urges the government to go further on both agendas by expanding the list of acceptable voter IDs and having an elected second chamber.

Labour should be ‘the tortoise to the last government’s hare’ on law-making, says Institute for Public Policy Research

A new report from IPPR, Delivery Vs Deliberation? Lessons from the last Parliament, urges the Labour government to carefully consider the impact and delivery of new laws before introducing them. The report takes aim at the record under the Conservatives during which successive administrations brought in legislation that was eventually abandoned, amended, or simply failed to deliver on what was initially promised.

Could a more proportional voting system have saved James Cleverly?

The Conservative Party is the only UK political party to elect their leader using a series of ballots, rather than the ‘Alternative Vote’ system. With James Cleverly crashing out of the Tory leadership race amidst rumours of tactical voting, the Electoral Reform Society discuss whether the more proportional ‘Alternative Vote’ could have produced a fairer outcome. Former Tory MP, Greg Hands, also appeared to be in agreement on the need for change.

Former Conservative Party Chairman calls for internal party voting reform

Former Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands wrote following the election of Kemi Badenoch as Tory leader: ‘The rules need serious reform. I am not with any of the camps, but it seems tactical voting has taken place on an industrial scale either yesterday, today, or both…It pains me to say it, but one Single Transferable Vote ballot paper — rather than multiple rounds — would probably solve it.’ Electoral Reform Society discuss in a recent blog whether a more proportional system could have produced a fairer outcome.

Collaborative Democracy Network to host event discussing new citizen white paper on participation, Nov 11th

The Collaborative Democracy Network is hosting an in-person and online event to discuss the Citizens’ White Paper which sets out why, when and how the government could embed public participation in national policy making. Authors of the White Paper, Demos and Involve, will be speaking alongside others at the event to discuss the current efforts from the government to democratise policy making and rebuild trust in politics. Sign up to the event.

How might we take meaningful steps to upgrade democracy? Asks Thinking Box

This summer 500 people from Extinction Rebellion UK took part in a live ‘Massembly’ in Windsor Great Park and online. But the deliberation process is still ongoing — get involved, vote and propose statements on the Pol.is. The process remains open until the 5th December.

Climate and Nature Bill advanced in Parliament by Roz Savage MP

​​The Climate and Nature Bill has been selected to advance the private members’ bill ballot in parliament. Unlike earlier presentations of the bill, it will now be allocated parliamentary time for reading and debate in the 2024–2025 session. The bill lays forth provisions for a citizens’ assembly to recommend measures for inclusion in an all-of-government strategy — See more via Zero Hour.

Democratising the Media

Is the bias of the mainstream press impacting Labour’s policy agenda? Unchecked UK investigates

The power and influence of the mainstream has often forced politicians to reconsider policy and change direction, according to Steve Richard, ex Political Editor of the New Statesman. New research from Unchecked UK explores how mainstream newspaper editorials have covered Labour’s regulatory agenda since July 4th, discussing whether the need to keep the press ‘on side’ is similarly influencing their direction of travel.

GB News fined £100,000 by Ofcom for breaking impartiality rules with soft Q&A event with Rishi Sunak
Ofcom said it has imposed a £100,000 fine on GB News for “breaking due impartiality rules” following a question and answer-style debate with former prime minister Rishi Sunak earlier this year, PA Media reports.

Public Interest News Foundation explore relationships between councils and local news providers

Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) explore opportunities for improving the relationship between local news outlets and local councils. From public notice reform to local documenters there are many ways of improving local information ecosystems, recently PINF have convened a new Local News Commission to deliberate on recommendations for a more sustainable and thriving local news sector. Sign up to PINF’s newsletters for all the latest.

Hacked Off call for Leveson Part Two

A decade ago, the Leveson Inquiry into corruption, rogue reporters, hacking, bribery and data theft in the British corporate media, was split into two parts — but Part Two was never completed. Hacked Off are now calling for Leveson Part Two.

Integrity & Transparency

Legal challenge against anti-protest laws continues, reports Liberty and allies

Liberty and their allies will be at the Court of Appeal the first week of December to defend the ruling of the court earlier in May. Despite some initial reports suggesting otherwise, the new Labour Government is now seeking to appeal Liberty’s High Court victory in May, despite opposing the laws in opposition. Find out more here.

Chris Packham recently joined Led By Donkeys in a stunt at HMP Wormwood Scrubs to highlight the recent changes to protest laws, calling on the Government to reverse the changes.

Undercover Policing Inquiry hears much delayed and damning evidence against controversial spycops unit

During the most recent hearings last month, exploring spycops deployments between 1983–1992, evidence submitted ‘gives us an idea of why the State wants to keep this stuff secret’ Police Spies Out of Lives suggested. Evidence submitted to the inquiry proves undercover police were sexual predators, fathered children and then the police hid the truth, committed serious crimes, that the police colluded with government to subvert democracy, and that the police acted as corporate spies — campaigners argue in a report on the recent stage of the Inquiry.

2019 Tory voters are now the least trusting of politicians, according to polling

New polling from Savanta and Full Fact finds that 59% of voters who support the Conservatives in 2019 say they don’t trust politicians to keep their promises — 10% higher than the UK as a whole. The poll also found that 58% of the public would not consider voting for the Conservatives at future elections, with 1 in 4 Tories saying the same.

NetPol highlight plight of the Newham 3

The Network for Police Monitoring provides an update on the Newham 3 campaign, of three socialist activists accused of hate crime at a Newham Council meeting, who have been left waiting in limbo for seven months by the Metropolitan Police to hear whether they will face criminal charges. NetPol has the story.

Alliance4Europe new report tracks international far right impacts on Southport Riots

The report by Alliance for Europe, is a product of their work through the Counter Disinformation Network. The report authors analysed more than 11k messages from 1500 different chats and channels posting content related to the riots across a three day period. They revealed that non-UK far right groups played a significant role in inflaming tensions following the Southport murders. Read the report here.

Rebuilding trust in politics — Demos research avenues for change

A new report from Demos — A Playbook to Rebuild Trust — suggests Labour’s current approach to rebuilding trust falls short. Based on research with their ‘Trustwatch Panel’ — a group of 32 participants who gave their reaction to political events in the run up to the election — the new report diagnoses six key drivers of low trust and sets out recommendations for a better way forward. Check out the write up in Labour List too.

Also, recapping from last month, Demos published The People’s Town Square on protest: Looking beyond the headlines, research supported by Liberty that found 83% of the public support the right to peaceful and non-violent protest. Check the report now.

A new anti-corruption messaging guide is published

Corruption is widely understood to be one of the biggest threats to democracy with concerns of UK corruption reaching an all time high. For campaigners, having a lexicon to raise awareness of this is becoming increasingly important. The National Democratic Institute and the Anti-Corruption & Governance Centre have just developed an ‘Anti-Corruption Messaging Guide’ to do just this, helping campaigners develop and tailor their messaging.

Civic & Political Technology

New polling and public attitudes tool Suffrago launches

The new tool Suffrago, builds on the foundations of Pol.is and the Crowd Wisdom project, allows citizens to submit statements about political, social and economic issues and generates new professional grade survey questions from these inputs, quizzing users and building up a representative picture of attitudes in a constituency area. See an example of such insights shared in local Rochdale press recently.

mySociety’s annual TICTeC civic tech conference is back

Next year’s mySociety TICTeC civic tech conference has just launched and is being held in Belgium, register your tickets now!

Full Fact to launch Government Tracker tool to understand if government is delivering on election pledges

Full Fact is launching a new tool to help voters understand the progress being made on the pledges that delivered them votes. The Tracker, which is currently in the early stages of development, will start with around 50 of the nearly 300 pledges Labour made during their election campaign, with the aim to expand the tool over time to cover every promise the Labour government made during the campaign. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates from the Full Fact team!

How to leverage AI for Democracy — new essay collection explores this crucial question

A new set of essays published by the International Forum For Democratic Studies and the National Endowment for Democracy, examines the role AI can play in bolstering democracy. The report also takes stock of the way social media has evolved to undermine democracy in some instances and discusses the safeguards needed to prevent similar issues with AI.

Curious about how you can use AI in your organisation? Check out the Civic AI Handbook

Developed by Edward Saperia at Newspeak House, the Civic AI Handbook, funded by Nesta, is a comprehensive directory covering practices and means by which civic organisations can adopt generative AI. View the handbook.

See you next time,

James, Max and the UK Democracy Network team