Unlock Democracy AGM 2012 Pack

Contents Page 2: Venue details Page 3: Agenda Page 4: AGM 2011 minutes Page 17: Response from the Unlock Democracy Council to last years motions Page 17: Speaker Biographies Page 18: Policy Motions (and amendments received) Page 21: Business Motions and Constitutional Amendments (and amendments received)

VENUE

Unlock Democracy AGM 2012 Venue Details

NCVO, The National Council for Voluntary Organisations Regent's Wharf 8 All Saints Street London N1 9RL How to find us NCVO is approximately 5-10 minutes walk from King's Cross Station.

Public Transport Buses Numbers 17, 91 and 259 all stop at the King's Cross end of Caledonian Road (see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for details). Trains Trains to King's Cross, St Pancras or Euston. Tube Piccadilly, Circle, Victoria, Hammersmith and City, Northern and Metropolitan lines all pass through King's Cross Station.

Parking Parking for people with physical disabilities This is available in the courtyard by prior arrangement with NCVO, telephone 020 7520 2404 (Conference suite booking). Car parking Parking meters in the surrounding streets. Bicycles Can be left in the courtyard, if locked, at owner's risk.

AGENDA Start time 10:30 11:00 11:03 11:05 11:10 Registration and refreshments AGM open and Chairs welcome Approval of AGM 2011 minutes and matters arising Response from the council in response to last years motions Finance Items: 1. Approval of accounts 2. Appointment of reporting accountants: Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP 3. Membership subscriptions motion: The meeting resolves that the standard annual membership subscription of the organisation shall be 24 and the minimum subscription shall be 12. The rebate to Local Groups shall be 7.20 or 30% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. The rebate to Devolved Organisations shall be 2.40 or 10% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. Debate and votes on policy motions: 1. Media Reform 2. Devolution for England 3. Single Transferable Vote 4. Reform of the Monarchy Speaker: Andreas Whittam Smith Lunch Speaker: Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP Debate and votes on policy motions (continued from morning session) Debates and votes on business motions and constitutional amendments: 1. Business motion 1: Local Groups 2. Business motion 2: Election Communication 3. Constitutional amendment 1: Election Standing Orders 4. Business motion 3: Motion on 2012 Elections 5. Business motion 4: Amendments at AGMs 6. Constitutional amendment 2: Amendments at AGMs Directors report and questions Closing words from Chair and Director AGM Ends Programme

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11:45 12:30 13:15 14:00 14:30

15:30 16:00 16:10

MINUTES UNLOCK DEMOCRACY'S AGM MINUTES SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2011 The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regent's Wharf

Present: Vicky Seddon (Chair), Peter Facey (Director) and 40 members, 26 proxy votes received In attendance: Alexandra Runswick, James Graham, Dan Flanagan, Emily Randall, Margaret Mathews Apologies: Stuart Weir, Nan Sloane, John Jackson, Mark Valladares 1. Chair's Welcome The chair announced that until the question of free membership had been resolved, people who had joined under the free membership offer earlier in the year would not be able to vote. This included those who had registered proxy votes. She apologised on behalf of the organisation. The chair announced that the organisation's legal advice was available and indicated that constitutional changes were required to enable free membership for time-limited periods. No emergency motions had been received and the agenda was approved. 2. Membership 2.1 Constitutional Amendment 1: Membership Subscriptions Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir Replace the existing 3.1. with: 3.1 Joining the Organisation 3.1.1. Membership is open to all who support the purpose of the Organisation, pay the current membership subscriptions and abide by the constitution. 3.1.2. The membership subscription shall be set by the Annual General Meeting which shall last until the following Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting may set a specific membership subscription for benefit claimants, unwaged individuals and individuals on a fixed income. 3.1.3. The Management Board may, for a specified time period, lower the membership subscription - including offering a zero rate - for new members or a targeted group of identified potential new members, subject to reporting this back to the following Council meeting and Annual General Meeting. Existing members may only renew at the membership subscription rate set by the Annual General Meeting.

3.1.4. The Management Board has a fiduciary duty to the integrity of the Organisation and may reject any individual's application to join the Organisation within 90 days of receipt of their application, for any reason, and with no recourse to appeal. Any individual, whose application is not rejected within this period, shall be deemed to be a member of the Organisation. Phil Starr moved the amendment. Peter Davidson seconded the amendment. Stuart Hill also spoke in support. Phil Starr clarified that the targeted groups would not necessarily be members of other existing organisations. Some, such as Take Back Parliament might not have a formal organisational structure. The free membership offer would be available for a fixed period for less than a year. Constitutional Amendment: Membership Subscriptions For: 49 Against: 3 Abstentions: 0

The amendment was passed with the required two thirds majority 2.2. Policy Motions: Membership offer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take Back Parliament supporters Option A Proposer: Stuart HIll Seconder: Linda Hoffman This AGM recognises that, prior to today, there has been no constitutional authority for the Council of UD to offer free membership to anyone under any circumstances. It is, therefore, regrettable that the individuals concerned will not be able to either stand for election or vote in the forthcoming Council elections. UD has always supported a written and binding constitution for the UK. It, therefore, cannot afford to be seen to ignore the fundamental provisions of its own constitution, regarding the membership requirements of the organisation, since its establishment. In addition to this, there is the further danger that the legitimacy of the forthcoming Council elections could be legally challenged should hundreds of individuals who have not paid the minimum membership contribution of 12 determine the results. Such an event would be catastrophic for our hard-earned reputation. This AGM welcomes the proposed rules-change which, if carried by a two thirds majority, would enable such offers to be made in the future. It is regrettable that previous AGMs have not had the opportunity to determine this matter.

An amendment to Motion Option A in the name of Phil Starr and Stuart Weir had been received. However, the movers of the motion indicated that they wished to withdraw the motion. This was agreed by the AGM, and hence the amendment fell. Option B: Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Stuart Weir The meeting notes: 1. The past precedent set by offering free membership to POWER2010 supporters in Summer 2010. 2. The introductory free membership offer made to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take Back Parliament supporters following the referendum campaign in May to July 2011. 3. That Unlock Democracy was a corporate partner of Yes to Fairer Votes, and that Take Back Parliament formally became a project of Unlock Democracy in May 2011. 4. These new members have been formally recognised as new members by the Management Board. 5. That, according to the Constitution, the Annual General Meeting shall consider and approve the annual membership subscription (5.1.c.) The meeting believes: 1. Restricted, time limited offers of free membership to identified supporters of democratic reform are a crucial way to expand the organisations membership base, and in the long term increase activism and fundraising. The meeting therefore resolves: 1. To ratify the decision to offer a zero subscription rate to Take Back Parliament and Yes To Fairer Vote supporters in May to July 2011.

Phil Starr moved Motion Option B. Peter Davidson and Tamsin James both seconded Option B. An amendment proposed by Stuart Hill was ruled out of order as it had not been received by the deadline. Stuart Hill expressed concern that Option B did not go far enough and called on the management board to offer free membership to whoever shares the aims and objectives of the organisation. Peter Facey explained that although the Management Board's actions were unconstitutional, according to the legal advice the organisation had received, the decision could be ratified by the AGM. Finola Kelly suggested that further constitutional changes should be made to enable members to suggest groups to offer free membership to. The chair stated that they should be free to do that anyway and it did not require a constitutional amendment.

Policy Motion: Membership offer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take Back Parliament For: 42 Against: 0 The motion was carried. The Chair declared that people who had joined under the free membership offer earlier in the year would now be able to vote. 2.3 Policy Motion: Membership Subscriptions The meeting resolves that the standard annual membership subscription of the organisation shall be 24 and the minimum subscription shall be 12. The rebate to Local Groups shall be 7.20 or 30% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. The rebate to Devolved Organisations shall be 2.40 or 10% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. Phil Starr moved the motion. Stuart Hill seconded the motion. The motion was carried. 2.4 Peter Facey asked for an indicative vote to delay the elections by 90 days. The recommendation was supported by the meeting. Abstentions 13

3. Approval of Minutes of the 2010 AGM Stuart Hill moved the minutes and these were seconded by Rosemary Bechler. Approved with no revisions and there were no Matters Arising

4. Response from Council to last year's Motions Received and approved. 5. Finance Items 5.1 Approval of accounts The director presented the report on accounts for UD for 2010/11. There were no questions about the accounts. Acceptance of the accounts was moved by Stuart Hill and seconded by Phil Starr Approval of accounts carried with 2 abstentions 5.2 Motion: Appointment of Accountants

It was proposed that our current reporting accountants MacIntyre Hudson (formerly Gotham Erskine) be changed to Chantrey Vellacott for the year ended 31 March 2012. PF explained that our existing accountants had merged and the decision had been made to put it out to tender. PF clarified that the change of accountants saved the organisation 150. PF declared that a friend of his worked for Chantrey Vellacott. Margaret Mathews clarified that PF stood back from making the decision on that basis. The motion was carried. 6. Policy Motion: Constituency boundaries for 2012 council elections Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Stuart Weir For the 2012-2013 Unlock Democracy Council elections, the Annual General Meeting resolves the following: 1. There shall be four constituencies, of roughly equal population size: a. North: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North West and the North East (UK population estimate: 16.5 million). b. West: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Wales, the South West and the West Midlands (UK population estimate: 13.6 million). c. East: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and the East of England (UK population estimate: 15.6 million). d. London and South East: consisting of the Governmental Regions of London and the South East, and members resident outside of the UK (UK population estimate: 16.2 million). 2. Members who are resident from outside of the UK shall be deemed to be members of the London and South East constituency. 3. Each constituency shall be allocated a number of council members to be elected proportionately according to membership size (using the Sainte-Lagu counting method), save that each constituency shall be allocated a minimum of three council members. For this purpose, everyone who is a full member of Unlock Democracy on Monday 28 November shall be considered. 4. 18 members shall be elected in total. Phil Starr moved the motion on behalf of the Council. Peter Davidson seconded the motion. Chris Carrigan spoke against the motion on the basis that geographical constituencies would not necessarily lead to the best people getting elected to the council. Peter Hirst suggested we review the number elected to Council every two years in view of the new constituencies. The motion was carried

7. Constitutional amendments 7.1 Constitutional Amendment 2a: Elections Proposer Vicky Seddon Seconder Peter Hirst Chaired by Peter Facey

In 2.4, delete: No further promotional material may be produced and replace with: In nominating themselves, candidates commit themselves to abide by the Election Protocol, as agreed by the Returning Officer In view of arguments made about the need to see a draft election protocol before changing the constitution, Vicky Seddon asked to withdraw the amendment. Peter Hirst asked for the amendment to not be withdrawn. The AGM agreed to its withdrawal. Stuart Hill asked that the new returning officer issue a clarification on how candidates can conduct themselves on the internet. 7.2 Constitutional Amendment 2b: Elections Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir The purpose of this amendment is to alter Appendix B of the constitution: Elections to ensure that it applies to all elections which Unlock Democracy may conduct, not just Council elections. Phil Starr moved the amendment. Stuart Hill seconded the amendment. Constitutional Amendment 2b: Election For: 53 Against: 1 Abstentions: 5 See appendix page 2

The amendment was carried by the required two thirds majority. 7.3 Constitutional Amendment 3: Rodell Governance See appendix page 3 Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir The purpose of this amendment is to establish basic rules over the governance of Rodell Properties Ltd.

Phil Starr moved the amendment on behalf of council. Tamsin James seconded the amendment. Constitutional Amendment 2: Rodell Governance For: 52 Against: 0 Abstentions: 13

The amendment was carried by the required two thirds majority.

8. Director's Report PF gave his Directors report and took questions. Questions were asked and answered on the following: the Sustainable Communities Act & the Localism Bill, the KPMG review, Unlock Democracys legal structure and the position on not becoming a political party, Europe/Italy and developing a pro-democracy alliance across the EU, local groups, setting up a youth wing, voter registration and boundary changes.

9. Policy Motions 9.1 Individual Voter Registration Proposer: Stuart HIll Seconder: Linda Hoffman This meeting believes that the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration, as presently proposed, represents the biggest threat to Universal Suffrage for at least 80 years. Unless there are sufficient guarantees that the electorate will not be significantly reduced, Unlock Democracy will campaign against the Coalitions proposals and alert the public to the threat posed to representative democracy in this country. Stuart Hill moved the motion, Linda Hoffman seconded the motion. PF noted people would not fall off the register for the next election, but would come off after the next anticipated General Election in 2015. The motion was carried. 9.2 AV Referendum Proposer: Vicky Seddon Seconder: Peter Hirst Chaired by Peter Facey The outcome of the AV referendum was a great disappointment for many of us who believe our first past the post voting system is not fit for purpose.

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The timing, both the short run-in, and combining with elections, was unhelpful, as was the unpopularity of the main political proponent . The superior finances of the No Campaign and the tactics they adopted were also significant factors. But the Yes Campaign, of which we were a part, had many flaws, including confusion over the main messages and lack of responsiveness to feedback on them; poor coordination between central and local parts of the campaign; rigid structures around messaging that creating delays and frustration; poor working relations at the centre. All involved must bear some responsibility. Despite all those disadvantages, almost one third of voters supported change. What is to be welcomed from the Campaign is the involvement of many young people, their enthusiasm and energy, and the wider links that UD has gained amongst supporters. The outcome of the referendum is a wake-up call to the democracy movement, of the need to find ways of speaking to a wider audience, with more convincing arguments and more effective campaigning, and better use of the knowledge and experience of our activists. That is the challenge that faces us now. UDs approach has been that such changes should arise from a Citizens Convention, seen as neutral and inclusive, and providing the opportunity for wide debate and public information, and hence less of a political fix. We should now consider when should be the moment to work with our allies to seek to convene such a Convention. Vicky Seddon moved the motion, Peter Hirst seconded the motion The motion was carried. 9.3 Police Commissioners and Elected Mayors Proposer: Stuart HIll Seconder: Linda Hoffman This meeting believes that the introduction of elected Police Commissioners, together with more Elected Mayors, by the Coalition Government compels Unlock Democracy (UD) to work urgently with members to produce proposals to minimise the threats proposed to our more traditional and accepted forms of democratic accountability. UD shall monitor the actual experiences of areas affected and, where possible, collate such information with a view to either supporting further legislation to amend the existing legislation or to reverse it entirely. This outcome is to depend on the actual views and experiences of UD members and, if considered appropriate, a membership ballot. Stuart Hill moved the motion. Linda Hoffman seconded the motion The motion was carried. 9.4 Scottish Independence Referendum Proposer: Peter Hirst 11

Seconder: Vicky Seddon Chaired by Peter Facey This AGM calls for a preferential voting system to be used in any referendum on Scottish independence. Peter Hirst moved the motion, Vicky Seddon seconded the motion The motion was carried.

10. Plenary: After Hackgate: a case for democratic reform? With Professor Ivor Gaber (Director of City University's School of Political Journalism), Dan Hind (Author of The Return of the Public) and Christina Zaba (Freelance writer and Guardian contributor)

11. Closing words from Chair and Director The Chair and Director thanked members for their attendance and wished them a safe journey home.

AGM Ends

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Unlock Democracy AGM 2011 Appendices 1.0 Attendance and Proxy List Members with (p) are proxy voters Simon Allen (p) Tom Ball Michael Bennett Rosemary Betchler David Bishop Bruce Brown Caritas Charles Debbie Chay Elizabeth Collingridge Graeme Connigale (p) Malcolm Connigale (p) Jack Darrant (p) Peter Davidson Stanley Davison Glenn Dives Philip Dixon-Phillips (p) Roger Donnison (p) Ruth Edmonds Richard Fagence Michael Falchikov (p) James Fitch (p) Elliot Folan Norman Graves (p) Simon Hewin Stuart Hill Peter Hirst Linda Hoffman Frank Terence Hutson (p) Sonia Jackson Alan James (p) Tamsin James Finola Kelly Andrew Lacey (p) Cherry Lavell (p) Jonathan Lewin (p) Barnabas-Francis MacPhail SSF (p) George Martindale A Mason Jim McGlynn George J McManus Virginia Morck Catherine Morrish (p) Malcolm H Morrison (p) Susan Murray (p) Nan Sloane (p) John Newham Reginald Pelle (p) John Pinkerton Mick Pitt Adam John Powell (p) Bibi Qureshi (p) Richard Sangster (p) Vicky Seddon Alex Smethurst Alexander Smithson (p) Phil Starr Caroline Strafford John Strafford Weir Stuart (p) John Swallow (p) Martha Wardrop Stuart Weir Michael Weller Marjorie Willetts (p)

2.0 Constitutional Amendment 2b: Elections Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir The purpose of this amendment is to alter Appendix B: Elections to ensure that it applies to all elections which Unlock Democracy may conduct, not just Council elections. In Appendix B: 1. Insert new 1.1. and renumber old 1.1-1.3 as 1.2-1.4 accordingly: "1.1. The rules in this section shall be used as the basis for all internal elections stipulated by the Constitution and elsewhere." 2. Replace 1.2. (new 1.3.) with: "All members shall be entitled to vote in all-member ballots and be a candidate in elections where all members are entitled to stand 91 days after their application to join the Organisation (see section 3.1 of the Constitution). Members shall selfnominate in order to stand."

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3. Replace: "2. with "2. All member elections" Elections to the Council"

4. At start of 2.1.(c), insert: "in the case of Council meetings, " 5. At the start of 2.2.(a), insert: "where there are reserved places for people of a particular gender, such as the Council, " 6. At the start of 2.2.(b), insert: "where there are reserved places for ethnic minorities, such as the Council, " 7. In 3.1., delete: " to the Council" 2.1 Constitutional Amendment 3: Rodell Governance Proposer: Phil Starr Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir The purpose of this amendment is to establish basic rules over the governance of Rodell Properties Ltd. Insert at end: "Appendix D. Rodell Governance "1. General "1.1. Rodell Properties Ltd ("Rodell") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unlock Democracy. The Council of Unlock Democracy shall approve the Memorandum and Articles of Association (and any changes thereto), and the ethical policy of Rodell. Nothing in the Memorandum and Articles and the ethical policy of Rodell shall contradict this constitution. "1.2. All donations by Rodell to an organisation other than Unlock Democracy must be approved by the Management Board of Unlock Democracy. "2. Directors "2.1. There shall be 7 directors of Rodell Properties Ltd. They shall consist of the following: 14

"a) Three members who shall be members of and appointed by the first meeting of each new Management Board. In keeping with the organisation's existing gender balance rules (Constitution 4.2.2.), at least one director appointed in this way shall be a man and at least one shall be a woman. "b) Four members who shall be directly elected by members of Unlock Democracy for four year terms of office, with two elected in a single constituency every two years using the Single Transferable Voting system. In keeping with the organisation's existing gender balance rules (Constitution 4.2.2.), at least one director appointed in this way shall be a man and at least one shall be a woman. The ballot to elect directors to Rodell Properties Ltd shall be held to coincide with the elections to elect the Council. "2.2. No member may serve as both a full voting member of Unlock Democracys Management Board and as a directly elected Rodell Director. Directors appointed to the Management Board shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as a Rodell Director after the Council meeting appointing them to the Management Board. "2.3. Directly elected Directors shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as a Rodell Director at the end of their term of office. "2.4. If a directly elected Rodell Director is subsequently elected as a Management Board member, they shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as a Rodell Director. "2.5. If a Director ceases to be a member of Unlock Democracy, they shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as a Rodell Director. "2.6. All ballot papers shall be kept for two years. If a casual vacancy arises, the ballot papers shall be recounted by the Returning Officer to fill that vacancy in the first instance. If the Returning Officer rules that a recount cannot result in the election of a new member and the next Council elections are more than twelve months away, a by-election shall be held. Otherwise the place shall be left vacant. "2.7. The quorum of all meetings with Directors shall be 5, at least two of whom shall be directly elected and at least two of whom shall be from those appointed by the Management Board. "2.8. The duties of the directors shall be as follows: "a) to exercise overall stewardship of Rodell on behalf of Unlock Democracy and the wider politics we represent; "b) setting targets for Rodell, approving a business plan (and any changes to it) and receiving regular reports on the progress of the plan; "c) oversight and scrutiny of Rodell, staff working on behalf of Rodell and the activities of the Advisory Board; "d) manage the assets in such a way as to maximise the long term income for the shareholder in accordance with Rodell's ethical policy; 15

"2.9. The Directors of Rodell shall give a report of their activities to each Annual General Meeting on Unlock Democracy. "3. Advisory Board "3.1. The Directors shall establish an Advisory Board who shall draw up a practical business plan for the Directors of Rodell to follow and provide the Directors with expert advice and recommendations in the pursuit of this business plan. "3.2. The Advisory Board shall consider any technical and practical issues which arise from the implementation of the business plan. It shall work with the staff of Unlock Democracy with its implementation where necessary. "4. Transitional arrangements "4.1. For the first round of elections the following procedure shall be followed: "a) Four members shall be elected in a single constituency; "b) The ballots shall be recounted to elect a sub-group of two members. Only the four members elected in the first round shall be deemed to be candidates in this recount. The term of office for the two members elected to this sub-group shall be four years; "c) The remaining members shall serve for two years. "4.2. Section 4 of this Appendix shall lapse on 1 January 2017."

3.0 Breakdown of votes: Membership offer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take Back Parliament
Option B Total For 47 (F5) Total Against 2 (F2) Total Abstention 23 (F1)

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COUNCIL RESPONSE TO MOTIONS

Council response to the motions passed at the 2011 AGM

The motions agreed at last years AGM and Councils response to them is set out below. Voter Registration Unlock Democracy has campaigned against the proposed changes AV Unlock Democracy is campaigning for a Citizens Convention Police Commissioners Once the elections have taken place Unlock Democracy will monitor the results Scottish Independence Unlock Democracy would like preferential voting but there has been no mention of it in relation to the referendum. SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Andreas Whittam Smith

Andreas Whittam Smith was a financial journalist until 1985 when he led the team that founded The Independent. The papers first editor (1986-1994), he has subsequently been the president of the British Board of Film Classification (1998-2002) and chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service (1998-2003). In 2012, he founded Democracy 2015, an independent political campaign intending to field candidates in the next general election.

Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP

Vince Cable is the Business Secretary, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and has been the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham since 1997. Cable has in-depth experience of economics as well as his political interests, and was one of the major contributors to The Orange Book as well as writing The Storm, an analysis of the financial crisis. He also has a personal interest in multiculturalism and the politics of identity, and has written a number of pamphlets on the subject.

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POLICY MOTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. Media Reform Devolution for England Single Transferable Vote Reform of the Monarchy

Motion 1: Media Reform Proposer: Clare Coatman Seconder: Mark Hermida Unlock Democracy Notes: 1. that a plural and ethical media is essential for a healthy democracy, and that the Leveson Inquiry has given the British public unprecedented insight into the failings of the press to fulfil this role. Unlock Democracy Believes: 1. that these failings can be remedied through action by Parliament, and that the publication of Leveson's recommendations is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve substantial media reform. Unlock Democracy Resolves: 1. to support organisations such as the Co-ordinating Committee for Media Reform in their efforts to mobilise citizens to demand decisive action, namely: a. a regulator which is independent of government and media proprietors, backed by statute b. limits on media ownership to ensure a plurality of voices c. a conscience clause and public interest defence for journalists

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Motion 2: Devolution For England Proposer: Cllr. Philip Davis Seconder: Mary Southcott This AGM notes the importance of empowering citizens at all levels of government. We note UD's effective campaigns for new laws supporting localism and sustainable communities, plus the continuing campaign to reform the Lords/Westminster Parliament. Unlock Democracy recognises that: 1. Effective citizen empowerment also depends on the equitable distribution of powers across the different parts of the UK and that, since Scottish and Welsh devolution, England remains the most centralised part of the United Kingdom; 2. London government, vested in an elected Mayor and Assembly covering c.6 million people, stands in stark contrast to the absence of any such democratic control over major services such as transport, housing and regeneration in the other conurbations of England and in urban/shire areas with large populations linked by such strategic services - for example, the North of England, South West of England or the West Midlands. This AGM supports the need for an English decentralisation and devolution campaign aiming to draw attention to this democratic deficit and to extend democratic accountability for large scale key services to the strategic areas of England outside London. Motion 3: Single Transferable Vote Proposer: Bruce Nixon This AGM resolves that Unlock Democracy initiates a major campaign leading up to the next election for an end to the first past the post voting system and the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote.

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Motion 4: Reform of the Monarchy Proposer: Merseyside and West Cheshire Group 1. Merseyside and West Cheshire Group recognise there are differing views on the monarchy amongst the membership of Unlock Democracy, i.e. monarchists, republicans i.e. advocate abolition of the monarchy and those with a pragmatic view, that is why we are proposing simple constitutional reforms of the monarchy, to improve accountability, transparency and fairness in royal finances and to appropriately assign public funds to the Treasury. 2. Buckingham Palace claims that the monarchy costs the taxpayer around 40m each year, representing excellent 'value for money'. In fact, research shows that the British monarchy could cost as much as five times this official figure, making it one of the most expensive institutions in the world. 3. The estimated total annual cost of the monarchy to taxpayers is 202.4m, around five times the official figure published by the royal household (38.3m last year). 4. The official figure excludes a number of costs, including round-the-clock security, royal visits and lost revenue from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall. 5. Civil List expenditure, which pays for the official expenses of the Queens household, has increased by 94 per cent in real terms over the last two decades. 6. 202.4m is equivalent to 9,560 nurses, 8,200 police officers and more than the total annual Ministry of Defence spending on food. 7. The British monarchy is 112 times as expensive as the Irish president and more than twice as expensive as the French presidential system. 8. Britain's royal family is the most expensive in Europe at more than double the cost of the Dutch monarchy. 9. Taxpayers are not informed about the exact cost of the monarchy, due to the royal household's exemption from the Freedom of Information Act and widespread misunderstanding about the nature of the royal family's finances. 10. All Royal visits around the country are met by local authorities and not from the monarchy's budget. 11. Our proposals for constitutional reform of the monarchy; a. Parliament to set an annual fixed budget for the monarchy - including an annual salary for the Queen - to be managed and reported on by a government department, not Buckingham Palace. b. All security costs to be made transparent and accountable. c. All costs of royal visits around the country to be incorporated into the monarchy's budget, not met by local authorities. d. The institution of the monarchy, and all members of the royal household, to be required to abide by the same tax laws and rules as all other public bodies and private individuals. e. The Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall to be fully investigated by parliament with a view to transferring them into public ownership, with all revenue going to the Treasury. f. The monarchy's finances to be scrutinised by the National Audit Office like any other public body. g. The Crown Estate to be renamed 'the National Estate' and its status clarified through amendment of the Crown Estate Act.

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BUSINESS MOTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Business motion 1: Local Groups Business motion 2: Election Communication Constitutional amendment 1: Election Standing Orders Business motion 3: Motion on 2012 Elections Business motion 4: Amendments at AGMs Constitutional amendment 2: Amendments at AGMs

Business Motion 1: Local groups Proposer: Danny Zinkus-Sutton Seconder: Helen Parker Unlock Democracy recognises the importance of having a network of activists in strengthening our ability to campaign effectively. Both individuals acting by themselves, and groups of activists working together in a locality, can bring huge benefits in mobilising support for our campaigns and in demonstrating a persistent and widespread desire for constitutional reform. This AGM welcomes: 1. The growth of reform movement groups following the referendum on the Alternative Vote and sees the growth of these groups as a vital part of the reform movements ability to influence constitutional reform. This AGM notes that many of these groups are informal and autonomous and are able to make use of new forms of social media to organise, network and co-ordinate activities cheaply. This AGM is eager that Unlock Democracy work with and support any and all proponents of democratic reform, at whatever level they are willing to work with us, provided that they campaign for democratic reform which is cross-party and non-discriminatory. 2. The setting aside of a budget of 1,000 per annum to support local groups through a grants programme and notes a similar scheme in operation by the Electoral Reform Society. 3. The work that Unlock Democracy has recently done to work more closely with local groups. 4. The Activists Conference scheduled to take place in Birmingham on the 9th of February and sees this event as a vital step in Unlock Democracy reaching out to local groups, other activists and to the wider informal and formal reform community. This AGM requests 1. Council to consider whether the current Unlock Democracy constitution best supports our working with a network of informal and autonomous local groups and to bring detailed proposals for any necessary changes to the Constitution to the AGM in 2013. 2. Council and Staff to continue to develop and consult widely on a plan that shows how Unlock Democracy can best: a. Strengthen our relationships with local groups by i. working with existing local groups ii. facilitating the engagement of activists with local groups iii. supporting and promoting the creation of new local groups iv. supporting and promoting the creation and strengthening of networks between local groups and local groups and formal reform movement organisations 21

b. work with other formal reform movement organisations, including but not limited to the Electoral Reform Society, Republic and political party reform groups in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to promote and support the overall good health of informal and autonomous local groups and the connection of local groups with the wider reform movement. 3. Council and Staff to discuss with local activists at the Activists Conference and through other channels what methods Unlock Democracy could use to support them better, including but not limited to the following practical opportunities a. Information on progress on current issues e.g. the Sustainable Communications Act b. Emails to all the local UD members about local group activities c. Assistance with national speakers d. Announcements about activities on UD website and giving local contact details e. Links on UD website to the groups own websites f. Funding to support events e.g, room hire g. Public liability insurance for same h. Facilitating access to skilled individuals i. Advice on aspects of running local groups j. Web-based resources and training aides to assist in running local groups

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Business Motion 2: Election communication Proposer: Chris Carrigan Seconder: Mark Pack Unlock Democracy notes that: 1. The existing rules for elections to Unlock Democracys council constrain candidates communication with the electorate to 300 words of text and have been interpreted to explicitly prohibit all other communication from candidates about the election including blogging, the use of twitter and even restricting the way they inform their friends about the fact they are standing. 2. The decision of the preceding council not to change these rules prior to the election was described by an outgoing member as the hypocrisy of a ruling elite that are comfortable with the notion that whilst the rest of society are desperately in need of its guidance as to how their democratic rights should be promoted, whilst they themselves should be protected from the implications of an informed electorate. 3. In that election the limited information about candidates and lack of debate generated frustration for members who did not feel they had enough information to make a judgement and for candidates who felt that they were unable to make a case for why people should vote for them. 4. Following the election the report of the Returning Officer Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg stated I would strongly recommend that Unlock Democracy reviews the current rules and reaches a view as to whether it wishes to propose revisions to them in light of the growth of social media in recent years. 5. However the council at its meeting on 1 Sept 2012 (by a majority vote) chose not to undertake this review. Unlock Democracy Believes that: 1. We need to update our election rules for the modern era. These rules, which were originally designed to prevent well-funded candidates gaining an unfair advantage during the era of the postage stamp, are now operating to the detriment of our internal democracy and its external image. 2. Given the lack of guidance from council we should adopt as best practice the election communication rules agreed by the Electoral Reform Society in July 2012 for their internal elections.

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Constitutional Amendment 1: Election Standing Orders Proposer: Chris Carrigan Seconder: Mark Pack Revise Appendix B of the constitution (Elections) as follows: 1. In 2.2 delete and election address 2. Replace 2.3 with 2.3 The rules for Candidates election addresses and election-related materials shall be as follows: a) In all statements and election-related materials, candidates must conform to a spirit of reasonable, albeit robust, assertion and debate. b) Candidates will each be allocated one A4-size page for their election addresses (a margin of at least 1 cm is recommended to avoid text being lost at a binding edge). c) Election addresses can be submitted in hard copy or digitally, by email or by post, in MS Word, PDF, or any other format that the organisations office can process. d) All Election addresses must be typed and may include images and photographs. The Organisations staff will assist with typing where necessary but will not provide assistance with imagery or layout. e) Election Addressees will be reproduced in black and white for hard copy circulation or may be made available in such electronic format and via such electronic means as the Returning Officer shall determine. f) Statements and election-related materials circulated or published by the Organisation and by candidates or on behalf of candidates, either by post or electronically, shall not contain direct or indirect personal criticisms of members of Unlock Democracy or its staff. Nor shall they make libellous assertions about any person. The Returning Officer shall have the final say on the content of all election addresses. g) The Returning Officer shall not provide access to memberships lists or other resources for election campaigning purposes. 3. Add at the end of 2.5 Candidates election addresses will be listed in the reverse of the order on the ballot paper. However, an alphabetic index will be provided.

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Amendment 1: Proposer: Chris Carrigan Seconder: Mark Pack 1. In 2, 2.3(b), replace one A4-size page with space equivalent to one A4-size page. 2. In 2, 2.3(d), add at end: beyond formatting into a template specified by the Returning Officer. 3. In 2, 2.3(g), delete all after list. Amendment 2: Proposer: Chris Carrigan Seconder: Mark Pack 1. In 2, add new 2.3(h): h) No candidate's campaign should incur any expenditure. Business Motion 3: Motion on 2012 elections Proposer: Stuart Hill Seconder: Linda Hoffman 1. This AGM welcomes the successful recent elections to our Council and Rodell Board. 2. The elections were by far the most competitive that Unlock Democracy has held, which is very healthy. Despite the competition, there was not a single complaint of a breach of the rules to our Returning Officer. 3. We have individuals elected who are independent, Green, Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat who are united by shared values of democracy. 4. The existing rules of Unlock Democracy ensure a level playing-field for all candidates where no individual candidate can take advantage of the power of money or access to social media. This principle needs to be retained in the future. 5. However, a clear weakness continues in the area of Black and Minority Ethnic representation. This AGM, therefore, asks that appropriate attention and resources are devoted to strengthening both representation and membership amongst these communities as well as improving the turnout amongst the whole of the membership.

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Business Motion 4: Retain the Right to Amend Motions at Unlock Democracy AGM Proposer: Susan Murray Seconder: Stuart Hill This AGM notes that the constitution of Unlock Democracy permits amendments to motions to be tabled from the floor of the AGM and would wish to see this democratic right retained. This AGM believes: 1. That an organisation committed to deepening involvement in the democratic process should first look to its own practices and ensure that its own supporters can make as full a contribution as possible to debate and decision making at its AGM. 2. That some members may only realise the full implications of any motion when it is debated on the floor of the AGM and so should retain the right to amend motions at that stage rather than when they first receive the AGM papers. 3. That open debate may bring extra information and arguments to light and that it should be possible to make amendments from the floor of AGM in the light of these. This AGM recognises that it may be more difficult to time or otherwise organise the agenda if last minute amendments are put, but believes that this is a price worth paying to ensure the deepest possible democratic involvement in the AGM. Constitutional Amendment 2: Amendments to motions Proposer: Vicky Seddon Seconder: Debbie Chay Insert a new 5.1.7 and renumber accordingly: 5.1.7 Amendments to motions shall be submitted to the Chair at least 48 hours before the meeting.

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