As I write my last few emails and have my final few meetings as Director of the Democracy Network, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last few years of our work, about the achievements and strides that have been made towards a stronger democracy, the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with a new government and lastly to pay tribute to the many wonderful people who are carrying the work forward, within our movement.
When I first joined Involve in 2021, I was very new to the democracy sector. I understood that politics was broken and that those who most needed change were least able to affect it. But, I had no idea about the many people, campaigns, and organisations working tirelessly to change this. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the passion and dedication of individuals and groups committed to fostering a more inclusive, representative, transparent and participatory democracy.
Together, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure democracy was moving forward, not backward; sometimes we won and sometimes we lost, but even with each loss, such as the introduction of voter ID, the tightening of our right to protest and the loss of independence of the Electoral Commission we learned lessons, we built new connections, deepened our knowledge of how change happens and how we can better work together to steward that change. And this is the foundational idea of network and movement building that the Democracy Network is built upon; it is those connections, shared learnings and deepening relationships that take our movement forward and secures longer term change.
It is this foundation that will underpin efforts to secure real change. The General Election and the introduction of a new government, brings huge opportunities for the sector — a sector that is more ready than ever to capitalise fully on these opportunities.
The recent election results reignited calls for proportional representation, highlighting the flaws in our current voting system. The discrepancy between the Labour Party’s relatively low vote share and their significant number of seats, contrasted with smaller parties receiving a high vote share but fewer seats. This brought the issue of voting systems once again to the public attention with some of the most senior figures in politics calling for change. Organisations advocating for proportional representation (PR) such as Make Votes Matter, the Electoral Reform Society, Unlock Democracy and many others have laid a solid foundation for this, being quickly able to amplify these voices and turn this into action. The momentum for PR will undoubtedly continue as the calls for change builds resonance with the wider civil society and the public at large.
We have also seen big wins in terms of diversity in Parliament, with a cabinet predominantly composed of state school-educated members, a record number of LGBT and BAME MPs; and a record number of women MPs; achievements aided by the tireless work of groups like Operation Black Vote, LGBT Labour, 50:50 Parliament, Elect Her, and the Centenary Action Group. However, true inclusivity goes beyond merely diversifying representation; it requires diversifying decision-making processes. Involve, the Sortition Foundation, and similar organisations deserve commendation for their advocacy for reforms that place citizens at the heart of decision-making. Their efforts are crucial in ensuring that a wide array of voices contribute to the policies that shape our nation.
Keir Starmer's prompt action in empowering mayors and establishing the Council of Regions and Nations is a promising move towards decentralisation but it is important that this is given the power it needs to ensure real influence. This initiative, if expanded and given teeth, could serve as a stepping stone towards a reformed House of Lords, potentially transforming our political landscape into one that is more responsive and accountable to the diverse regions and nations that comprise our United Kingdom.
The new Prime Minister's commitment to restoring trust in politics also marks a significant opportunity for a transformative shift in our political landscape. This pledge opens the door for organisations like Compassion in Politics, Transparency International, Radix Big Tent, the Commission on Political Power, and the UK Open Government Network to lead the charge in cleaning up politics and bringing greater transparency and integrity into decision making, strengthening democracy and decency inside Parliament, ending the culture of bullying and deceit and enhancing openness within government and the civil service. Their efforts can help rebuild public trust, ensuring that our political institutions are accountable and reflective of the behaviours the public demand to see of our political institutions and leaders.
To this end, I am incredibly optimistic about the future of the movement, largely because of the remarkable individuals who are part of it. The dedication, resilience, and creativity I have witnessed among our members and partners give me confidence that we will continue to make meaningful progress. To the many wonderful people who are carrying the work forward: thank you for your unwavering commitment and passion. It has been an honour to work alongside you, and I am excited to see the continued impact of your efforts.
As I step down from my role, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and pride. I am grateful for the support and collaboration of my colleagues, partners, and the broader community. It is your collective energy and vision that have driven our achievements. Although I am moving on to new adventures, I will always remain a steadfast supporter of the Democracy Network and its mission.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this incredible journey. Let’s continue to strive for a democracy that truly serves all its people.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Jessie Joe Jacobs