This policy working paper explores how democratic innovation can help renew trust, participation, and legitimacy in the UK’s democratic system. Building on earlier LPIP work on social value and community-centred innovation, it examines the social, institutional, and structural pressures currently facing democracy, particularly in the context of devolution and regional governance. Drawing on UK and international examples, the paper sets out five practical pathways for ‘dialling up democracy’ – from participatory budgeting and digital democracy to citizens’ assemblies, institutional openness, and new models of representation – arguing that democratic renewal is essential to inclusive growth, social cohesion, and regional innovation.
“If democracy is to be renewed rather than merely defended, we must expand the spaces where citizens can act, deliberate, and shape the public realm. Devolution only works if citizens have real oversight, transparency, and redress. So, what can we do? The answer is not to abandon democracy but to dial it up – to evolve it for a new century.”
Mark Swift
Local and regional policymakers, LPIPs, civic institutions, and community partners should embed democratic innovation into devolved governance – expanding participatory spaces, strengthening accountability, and co-creating policy with citizens to rebuild trust and legitimacy from the ground up.
Meet the Author
Mark Swift is a serial social entrepreneur and Founder CEO of Wellbeing Enterprises CIC, one of the UK’s first Community Interest Companies established to improve health and wellbeing. As an LPIP Fellow at the University of Birmingham, he explores how social innovation and community-powered approaches can strengthen health equity and democratic renewal.