Democracy under fire: A Bylines Network webinar

In the UK, democracy is under fire. Assaults on freedom of the press, the rule of law and democracy are becoming increasingly common, and events abroad have shown that this may only be the start. 

In this latest Bylines Network webinar, we will discuss these threats to democracy and what we can do to counter them. Speaking tonight will be: 

Peter Jukes: Peter is an author, screenwriter and co-founder of Byline Times and the Byline Festival. After 25 years as a playwright and screenwriter for mainstream TV dramas he came to prominence as a journalist for his live-tweeting of the phone hacking trial in 2013. He has written for the Observer, Independent, New York Times, New Republic, Politico, Daily Beast and others. 

Natalie Bennett: Natalie is a lifelong Green and feminist. She was leader of the Green Party 2012-2016 and is now a member of the House of Lords. Natalie was editor of Guardian Weekly from 2007 to 2012. She is currently co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Hong Kong. Born and raised in Australia, she began her career as a journalist with regional newspapers in New South Wales before leaving in 1995 for Thailand, where she worked for Australian Volunteers International and the Bangkok Post newspaper over the next four years.

Tom Brake: Tom is the director of Unlock Democracy, and MP for Carshalton and Wallinton from 1997 to 2019, where he was active in pushing for democratic reform, including extending Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to private companies like Serco and Capita when they undertake work for the public sector, defending UK elections from foreign interference, and for votes at 16. 

Clive Lewis: Clive was elected the Labour MP for Norwich South in May 2015. Before entering parliament, Clive was vice president of the National Union of Students, a BBC TV political reporter as well as Army reservist infantry officer, serving a combat tour of Afghanistan in 2009. Clive is the co-chair of the APPG Green New Deal and the APPG Future of Work, and chair of the APPG Race and Community. He has been shadow minister for climate & energy change, shadow secretary of state for defence, shadow secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy and, most recently, shadow minister for the treasury, with a focus on environmental economics and sustainable finance.

Louise Houghton (Chair): Louise Houghton coordinates the Bylines Network and is editor-in-chief at Yorkshire Bylines. She is also an associate editor and proofreader at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. Before setting up Yorkshire Bylines, she worked as a freelance editor and trainer for five years, primarily for public sector clients. Prior to this Louise was a police officer with South Yorkshire Police where she worked in public protection, corporate governance and change management.

The event will feature a presentation from each of the panelists, and a Q&A.