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  • August 13, 2009
    Fijian regime puts church leaders in the dock

    Nine Methodist Church leaders appeared in court in Fiji yesterday, pleading not guilty to charges of breaching Public Emergency Regulations. They have been released on bail but are forbidden to preach, speak in public or meet with each other.

  • August 11, 2009
    Not tolerating 'politics as usual'

    Look out for a major convention on ‘Real Change’ in the near future, with input from civic groups (including churches) and a manifesto for wide-ranging reform, says Simon Barrow.

  • July 26, 2009
    Get involved in proposing democratic change

    Real Change: The Open Politics Network is shortly to be involved in a series of small ‘hearings’ (focus-group like meetings) across the UK to find out what concerned citizens in Britain think about the renewal of politics and the democratic process.

  • July 8, 2009
    Real change in the political landscape

    “Reform so as to preserve” is still the mantra of the political elite in Britain. But civil society organisations, faith groups, politicians and ordinary people can help change the agenda, says Simon Barrow.

  • June 11, 2009
    Campaigners warn about electoral reform rhetoric

    A statement about electoral reforms made by Gordon Brown yesterday, which could include the end to the first-past-the post voting system in general elections, has been given a cautious welcome by democracy campaigners who also expressed concern.

  • June 10, 2009
    Brown half-measures challenged by PR and Citizens' Convention call

    Unlock Democracy, the bi-partisan campaign for political and constitutional reform, says that Gordon Brown's gestures towards changes in the voting system are "a textbook example of how not to do electoral reform."

  • June 4, 2009
    Hong Kong Cardinal wants new Chinese stance on Tiananmen protests

    Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun has urged China to change its stance on the crackdown 20 years ago against peaceful protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Today is the 20th anniversary of the crackdown.

  • June 4, 2009
    The state of independents: alternative politics
  • June 4, 2009
    Opportunity lies behind the political crisis

    Cynicism about politicians and political institutions runs very deep, says Terry Waite. But the current crisis is also an opportunity for change, for reinvesting politics with hope and the participation of people from outside 'the party system'.

  • June 4, 2009
    Churches and the rejuvenating of democracy

    Churches could have a vital role to play in rejuvenating democracy, says Jonathan Bartley. But it needs to be through a faith-engagement with politics based on openness and change.