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Anni Johnson
Anni has worked across commercial, political and not for profit sectors in her 25 years as a public relations consultant. Her client list has included such diverse organisations as a radiator manufacturer, local council, science start-ups and even a synchronised swimming team.
Most recently she has been focused on the campaigning sector. As Campaign Manager for the Equal Civil Partnerships Campaign she is part of the team who succeeded in introducing mixed-sex civil partnerships in England and Wales at the end of 2019.
Celebrating the Announcement of a new National Commission on Electoral Reform
We are celebrating the announcement by Andy Burnham in his party conference speech of a new National Commission on Electoral Reform and a promise to contest the next election with a manifesto commitment to change the electoral system . Years of hard campaigning, especially by members of our Resilient Democracy network, have led to this point and we look forward to a time in the not too distant future when as Burnham put it, 'everyone's vote counts and everyone's voice is heard'.
This is a great first and valuable step in the project to 'rewire' UK democracy but we do need to ensure that the Commission is not merely a talking-shop, provides real alternative solutions to the current voting system - and does it quickly, and that the benefits to the public are communicated well.
Louise Haigh rightly described the influence of outsize donations to political parties as 'pernicious' and an alternative voting system will be a strong and effective counterbalance to the culture of cash for influence, in the current absence of a donations cap.
Has Burnham hoicked the issue into the long grass or is he aiming straight for the pin? You can be absolutely certain that we and the RD network will be providing advice, assistance and the tools to ensure it's the latter. It’s vital that the Commission acts swiftly and produces clear recommendations so that all Parties have the opportunity to incorporate these into their manifestos for the next election.
Anni Johnson, Resilient Democracy Programme Lead
Statement from Tom Brake, Chief Executive of Unlock Democracy
“The PM is right that First Past the Post needs replacing. In today’s multi-party politics, it is not fit for purpose. It bakes in volatility and robs millions of voters of fair representation.
“A year ago this week, Andy Burnham told a conference event that ‘PR is an idea whose time has come.’ We’re delighted that now, as Prime Minister, he has kickstarted the process to deliver it. An independent national commission is the best way to transform the idea of electoral reform into a lasting settlement that commands broad support.”
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