It’s International Democracy Day

How your support can block the far-right’s shortcut to power

Dear John,

Today marks the International Day of Democracy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks of democracy being "powered by the will of the people" at a time when it faces assault "from disinformation, division, and shrinking civic space." Here in Britain, we're seeing exactly what he means.

Over the weekend, 110,000 people joined Tommy Robinson's far-right rally in London – the largest extremist mobilisation in British history, which turned violent and left 26 police officers injured.

This follows a summer of organised far-right protests outside asylum seeker hotels. The threat is real, it's growing, and it's mobilising.

Meanwhile, Reform UK now leads the polls at 29-35% – ahead of Labour's 18-24%. But here's the crucial point to remember: just 24% of Britons believe a Farage-led government would do a good job running the country.

Reform does not represent the majority of British people. But under First Past the Post, they don't need to – they could slip into Number 10 with the support of those thugs who clashed with police on Saturday.

Under our broken voting system, a party with 30% support can walk into Downing Street with a working majority. Under Proportional Representation (PR), they would get their fair share of MPs – roughly 30% – but they’d get nowhere near the keys to Number 10.

The unfair distortion of First Past the Post is what gives extremists their shortcut to power.

The public knows this system is broken. A record 60% now support changing to Proportional Representation, according to the latest British Social Attitudes survey – the highest level since polling began.

Even among Conservative supporters, backing for PR has doubled from 24% to 52% in just one year.

The time to act is now. The government's forthcoming Elections Bill represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to push for PR through a National Commission on Electoral Reform. This independent body would review how Parliament is elected, promote a national conversation, and build consensus on a way forward.

Ordinary people and constitutional experts alike agree it is the right way to restore trust in our democracy. Cross-party voices are backing change:

Open Britain is uniquely positioned to seize this moment.

• Through our role driving the cross-party All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Elections – now the largest APPG with over 150 members – we have the credible plan for a National Commission that can build consensus.
  

• Our Ugly Politix Substack channel shines a light on the lies put out by right-wing champions like Farage, Matt Goodwin and others.
  

• Our supporters – hundreds of thousands strong – know something needs to be done… NOW.
  

• And unlike our billionaire-funded opponents, we're people-powered and independent. Something that drives trust and keeps our campaign delivering what YOU want.

Here’s what our supporters say:

“Rise of Reform scares me but our voting system is the real danger. Unless we change it, extremists can take power without majority support."

– David, Liverpool

“For years I held off the idea of proportional representation, but Open Britain’s work has convinced me it’s the only way forward."  

– Robert, Leicestershire

“Open Britain is taking excellent steps towards achieving a more representative democracy. A National Commission is urgently needed to start building consensus for change.”

– Sarah, Cornwall

To ensure we make the most of the opportunities presented by the Elections Bill, we’re asking you to support our Autumn fundraiser.Your donation will fund:

• £15 helps fact-check and publish a rebuttal on Ugly Politix reaching thousands of readers

  
  

• £30 contributes to producing a targeted MP briefing for the Elections Bill

  
  

• £60 supports constituency-level actions (emails, calls, local press) that puts our message directly to the MPs that matter

  
  

• £120 funds digital ads reaching tens of thousands with the case for a National Commission on Electoral Reform

  
  

• £250 enables a media briefing or op-ed placement that puts electoral reform into the national conversation

  
  

Any contribution you make to this fundraiser will boost our capacity to get this message into mainstream media and reach more ordinary people – growing our impact far beyond Westminster.

The choice is stark. We can Stop the Rot that's poisoning our democracy, or we can watch as a vocal minority captures power through a rigged system.

The far right is organised, well-funded, and actively mobilising. Democracy defenders must be too.

If you want politics that works for ordinary people, not well-connected insiders or a minority of extremists, please help us Make it Fair.

We know times are tough, and every pound counts. That’s why we run a lean team and always make sure we squeeze every ounce of value out of every pound you donate. Whatever contribution you make, you will be helping us to block the far right’s shortcut to power and usher in a fairer form of politics.

Together, we can build a democracy where every voice counts and extremism can't hijack the system.

All the best,

Mark

Mark Kieran

CEO, Open Britain

P.S. Remember – transparency drives trust. That's why Open Britain is funded by people like you, not billionaire backers with hidden agendas. Every pound goes toward building the fairer democracy Britain deserves.