Jessica Metheringham
Election Address:
jessica.metheringham@gmail.com
@QuakerDissent
Thank you for voting me on to council four years ago, and as Chair two years ago. It’s been a real privilege to serve.
There has been a lot of change at Unlock Democracy over the last couple of years. We’re in a better financial position. We’re better networked with other campaigners in the democracy sector. Recently we played a leading role speaking out against the Elections Act and other damaging legislation. We have done some essential housekeeping with our strategy too, looking at how we campaign for a written constitution as our overall goal and on vital issues such as PR and political transparency. We are very lucky to have such a solid and vibrant team working for us.
If I’m re-elected
I hope to stand as Chair again, and will be an enthusiastic member of the team regardless of whether or not I’m successful. My aim is to build on the great achievements of Unlock Democracy over the last few years. I will prioritise these three things:
1. Being proactive in our campaigns, particularly around the impact of the Elections Act.
2. Working with other democracy campaigners and making sure that we work across the sector.
3. Growing our community of supporters and members, encouraging local or interest-based groups to form, and engaging members in creative campaigning.
We’ve done well over the last couple of years, and I think we can improve further.
About me
I’ve worked for an MP, for the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and as parliamentary liaison for campaigning organisations. I have experience of campaigning on issues such as political lobbying, civil society, sustainability, peace education, nuclear weapons, welfare, housing, criminal justice, and immigration. I was recently employed as a freelance political consultant looking at the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (now an Act).
My main job at the moment is designing board games. I have one published, with two more due to be released in 2022-23. The games I design are all political, with one game about the peace movement, one about removing plastic bottles from the sea, and a third game about inspirational women. I’m part of the core group of a new sustainability project in card and board games, and some of my work in the next year will be looking at the educational aspects of games.
I was not a member of any political party when I worked in Parliament, I am not a member of any political party now, and I don't have any intention of joining one.