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Shake It Up is a growing coalition of community groups in Lambeth working to bring decision-making power back to local people.
We’re supporting community independents in local elections and building a borough-wide network of residents, organisers and neighbourhood groups. Alongside this, we’re developing Community Assemblies — spaces where residents can come together, learn about local issues, deliberate, and shape solutions.
Our aim is simple: communities before parties.
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Across the UK, trust in traditional party politics is declining. Voter turnout in many local wards is low, and many residents feel unrepresented.
In Lambeth specifically:
Many councillors are elected with a relatively small proportion of the total electorate.
A large percentage of residents do not vote.
There is clear space for a new kind of grassroots, community-led politics.
We believe this moment presents a genuine opportunity to build something different — locally first.
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Yes — it is mathematically and practically possible.
In many Lambeth wards:
Around 10,000 people are on the electoral roll.
Three councillors are elected per ward.
Candidates can win with approximately 1,500 votes.
That means winning does not require a majority of the electorate — it requires effective, targeted community engagement.
Research and past campaigns show that:
Knocking on every door multiple times dramatically increases turnout.
Face-to-face conversations are the most effective way to shift voting behaviour.
Consistent local presence builds trust.
With organised volunteer teams working over several weeks, this is achievable.
Shake It Up
Your Questions Answered
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Our approach combines:
1. Door-to-door conversations
Volunteers canvass consistently across the ward. A single canvasser can knock on approximately 20 doors per hour. Coordinated teams over a six-week period can reach thousands of residents.
2. Community Assembly launch events
We bring residents together to:
Discuss key local issues
Learn about options and trade-offs
Develop practical proposals
Build neighbourhood teams
These events also grow our volunteer base organically.
3. Collaboration where possible
We are exploring cooperation with aligned progressive groups where this strengthens community representation and avoids splitting support.
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Community Assemblies are structured, inclusive forums where residents:
Learn about a specific issue
Hear balanced information
Discuss in small groups
Work toward shared recommendations
Participants can be selected in ways that reflect the diversity of the community, ensuring it’s not just the loudest voices in the room.
This model has been used successfully in other countries to:
Increase trust in decision-making
Produce practical, widely supported solutions
Bring new people into civic life
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No.
Elections are one part of the strategy — but the wider aim is to:
Build lasting neighbourhood networks
Increase democratic participation
Create accountability structures rooted in community
Develop a model that could be replicated elsewhere
The long-term goal is a new politics grounded in organised, informed local communities rather than top-down party structures.
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If successful, this model could:
Demonstrate that organised communities can win local elections.
Show how independents and progressive groups can cooperate effectively.
Provide a blueprint for broader democratic renewal across the UK.
Local success can influence national conversation.
How much time do I need to commit?
We are asking people to contribute as little as:
Two hours per week.
If enough people commit small, consistent amounts of time, the cumulative impact is significant.
Winning campaigns are built on steady participation, not heroic effort from a few individuals.
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You can:
Join a local canvassing team
Attend a Community Assembly
Help with outreach or social media
Host conversations in your neighbourhood
Bring friends to an information session
Small, practical actions — done collectively — make this possible.