Recent from talks
New Politics Network
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
New Politics Network
The New Politics Network (NPN) was a British think tank and campaign group that operated from 1999 to 2007. Founded as the successor to Democratic Left, which was itself the legal successor to the Communist Party of Great Britain, the NPN focused on democratic renewal, constitutional reform, and cross-party political participation.
The organisation had approximately 200-250 members and was governed by an elected Council. Its campaigns included advocacy for proportional representation, House of Lords reform, and lowering the voting age to 16. The NPN also conducted research on electoral practices and political participation, including what it described as the largest UK-wide study of election literature during the 2005 United Kingdom general election. Major collaborative efforts included the "Elect the Lords" campaign with Charter 88 and the European Citizenship Project.
A 2000 New Statesman report indicated the NPN owned assets worth £3.5 million, derived from former Soviet subsidies to the Communist Party. In 2007, the organisation merged with Charter 88 to form Unlock Democracy, with the NPN contributing substantial financial resources to the merger.
The NPN was established in December 1999 following the dissolution of Democratic Left, the legal successor organisation to the Communist Party of Great Britain. Nina Temple served as its first director. Prior to becoming the NPN, Democratic Left had briefly operated as the New Times Network, publishing a magazine titled New Times until summer 1999.
The NPN positioned itself as politically independent, committed to working across the political spectrum and collaborating with individuals from all the main political parties. This approach marked a departure from the ideologically focused stance of Democratic Left and its Communist Party heritage.
The NPN operated as a democratic organisation with approximately 200-250 members. According to its constitution, membership was open to people from "any part of the world and many political traditions," including socialism, liberalism, anti-oppression movements and environmentalism. Membership fees were set at £6 minimum or £25 recommended. Governance was provided by an elected Council with gender-balanced representation that met at least four times per year in different locations across the country.
The organisation allowed members to participate in autonomous local groups and networks based on location, shared identity, or common interests. These groups were financially independent and established their own objectives while adhering to the NPN's broader aims and values. The NPN maintained non-party status, permitting members to stand as candidates for their own parties or as independents, but not under the New Politics Network banner.
According to its constitution, the NPN's stated purpose was to "reconnect politics to people" and create "open spaces in which to deepen democracy, reskill the political process and rekindle enthusiasm for democracy". The organisation's stated aims included contributing to constitutional reform such as proportional representation for all elections, strengthening local government, establishing regional assemblies, and creating a written constitution. Additional stated aims included deepening dialogue about European integration, supporting the trade union movement, addressing social exclusion and poverty, and promoting environmental and cooperative movements.
Hub AI
New Politics Network AI simulator
(@New Politics Network_simulator)
New Politics Network
The New Politics Network (NPN) was a British think tank and campaign group that operated from 1999 to 2007. Founded as the successor to Democratic Left, which was itself the legal successor to the Communist Party of Great Britain, the NPN focused on democratic renewal, constitutional reform, and cross-party political participation.
The organisation had approximately 200-250 members and was governed by an elected Council. Its campaigns included advocacy for proportional representation, House of Lords reform, and lowering the voting age to 16. The NPN also conducted research on electoral practices and political participation, including what it described as the largest UK-wide study of election literature during the 2005 United Kingdom general election. Major collaborative efforts included the "Elect the Lords" campaign with Charter 88 and the European Citizenship Project.
A 2000 New Statesman report indicated the NPN owned assets worth £3.5 million, derived from former Soviet subsidies to the Communist Party. In 2007, the organisation merged with Charter 88 to form Unlock Democracy, with the NPN contributing substantial financial resources to the merger.
The NPN was established in December 1999 following the dissolution of Democratic Left, the legal successor organisation to the Communist Party of Great Britain. Nina Temple served as its first director. Prior to becoming the NPN, Democratic Left had briefly operated as the New Times Network, publishing a magazine titled New Times until summer 1999.
The NPN positioned itself as politically independent, committed to working across the political spectrum and collaborating with individuals from all the main political parties. This approach marked a departure from the ideologically focused stance of Democratic Left and its Communist Party heritage.
The NPN operated as a democratic organisation with approximately 200-250 members. According to its constitution, membership was open to people from "any part of the world and many political traditions," including socialism, liberalism, anti-oppression movements and environmentalism. Membership fees were set at £6 minimum or £25 recommended. Governance was provided by an elected Council with gender-balanced representation that met at least four times per year in different locations across the country.
The organisation allowed members to participate in autonomous local groups and networks based on location, shared identity, or common interests. These groups were financially independent and established their own objectives while adhering to the NPN's broader aims and values. The NPN maintained non-party status, permitting members to stand as candidates for their own parties or as independents, but not under the New Politics Network banner.
According to its constitution, the NPN's stated purpose was to "reconnect politics to people" and create "open spaces in which to deepen democracy, reskill the political process and rekindle enthusiasm for democracy". The organisation's stated aims included contributing to constitutional reform such as proportional representation for all elections, strengthening local government, establishing regional assemblies, and creating a written constitution. Additional stated aims included deepening dialogue about European integration, supporting the trade union movement, addressing social exclusion and poverty, and promoting environmental and cooperative movements.