🥳 HAPPY NEW YEAR!! OB's Priorities for 2025

Dear John,

🥳 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉

2025 is set to bring extraordinary challenges. Donald Trump will return to the White House in January. Elon Musk, wielding his vast wealth, will continue to meddle in UK politics. Keir Starmer’s government faces an uphill battle to bolster its popularity, and the far-right is poised to gain momentum at home and abroad—all while public trust in politics continues its worrying decline. Grim, isn’t it?

But, as a former colleague in Number 10 used to tell me before delivering news that would upend my day, “Mark, think of this not as a problem but as an opportunity to shine.” It’s a mindset I’ve carried ever since.

Despite these challenges, Open Britain is poised to drive significant political change in 2025. Building on the infrastructure we established in 2024, we’re ready to turbo-charge the fight for a fairer political system.

While it’s impossible to predict exactly what 2025 will bring, one thing is certain: it won’t be business as usual for British politics or democracies around the globe. But here’s what we know we’ll be doing in 2025:

Pushing back against Farage and his Trumpian friends: We will continue to expose the damage caused by the far-right and their enablers, from Musk’s interference in British politics to disinformation campaigns on X. Their aim is clear: to exploit our democracy’s vulnerabilities and seize the keys to Number 10 in 2029. We’ll be relentless in calling out their false prophets and specious claims, shining a light on their attempts to undermine democracy.
Growing the APPG for Fair Elections: Already one of the largest APPGs in Parliament, the APPG for Fair Elections is gaining momentum. We’ll continue reaching out to new MPs and peers, building its membership and its influence to champion vital reforms.
Using the APPG to Push for Change: With the APPG’s backing, we’ll press Starmer’s government to close the most egregious ‘dark money’ donation loopholes—a key recommendation of the Free But Not Fair report. We’ll also use the power of the APPG to push for change in relation to disinformation.
Securing a National Commission for Electoral Reform: Establishing the National Commission for Electoral Reform (NCER) is essential. This flagship recommendation from the APPG’s report must launch in 2025, ensuring it delivers its proposals well before the next General Election. We believe this is the best way to achieve proportional representation by 2029, and more voices in Parliament and civil society are joining this call.
Expanding Communications to Amplify Our Message: To build a stronger movement, we’ll expand our communications efforts. Alongside our Substack, Ugly Politix, we’ll be launching new platforms to reach those who feel disconnected from politics. By highlighting how democratic reforms can restore their voice, we aim to bring more people back into the political conversation.

All of these goals are within reach. This movement has come so far, and together, we can effect real change in the year ahead.

But progress is only possible with your support. Unlike our opponents, we aren’t funded by billionaires—we rely on ordinary people who share our vision for a fairer political system. By giving regularly, you enable us to plan ahead with confidence and sustain the fight for real change. Will you join us in building a stronger democracy?