Unlock Democracy

A current member of the Council, I am a writer and researcher in the field of democratic reform. My professional posts are as Senior Research Fellow at Democratic Audit and at the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies, King’s College London; as well as being Senior Researcher at the Federal Trust. I have written books including a history of special advisers to ministers and a history of the office of Prime Minister. I am writing a work on the contemporary relevance of Magna Carta to tie in with the 800th anniversary of this document in 2015.

 

The coming years can be expected to present a variety of challenges and opportunities for an organisation committed to democratic reform.

 

In particular, the uncertain position of Scotland within the Union and the ongoing extension of devolution in all the areas it has been introduced, combined with its non-existence in England outside Greater London, will raise difficult questions about the way the UK is governed. Opportunities are likely to arise for a reshaping of the UK democratic settlement and it is vital that the values of Unlock Democracy play a central part in any such process.

 

If re-elected to the Council I would seek to continue to help ensure that Unlock Democracy identifies developments that are relevant to its campaigning and research work, and engages with them fully. I would supply my own knowledge, and help liaise with the relevant academic and political individuals and groups with whom Unlock Democracy must continually connect to be effective.

 

A particular interest of mine will be to ensure that the voice of Unlock Democracy is heard during the period of heightened interest in UK democratic issues that will be brought about by the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in 2015.