Democracy on Default Settings: How outdated systems undermine the day-to-day work of members of parliament

Democracy on Default Settings, by Hannah O’Rourke from Campaign Lab and Edward Saperia from Newspeak House, examines the hidden infrastructure of UK democracy: MPs’ offices.

Drawing on interviews, surveys and fieldwork with parliamentary staff, the report exposes how outdated systems, weak management support and fragmented technology undermine the day-to-day work of representing constituents. It reveals 650 MPs’ offices operating as under-supported micro-organisations, often reliant on individual heroics and dedication rather than robust processes. While staff show remarkable resourcefulness, the authors argue that modest, practical reforms – in leadership, onboarding, skills and digital tools – could significantly improve effectiveness, wellbeing and democratic responsiveness.