In 2013, David Cameron took to the stage at the Open Government Partnership summit in London to talk of a ‘transparency revolution’ taking place around the world. The initiative had grown from eight countries to 61, each signing up to the principle that more people should see, shape and scrutinise how governments work.
Twelve years on, and it has been announced the UK will once again take a leading role, co-chairing OGP from October 2026. What’s changed? Why should anyone outside Westminster care? And what would Keir Starmer say if he took that same stage?
First, scale. Alongside the 74 national governments, there are now 150 ‘local’ members, including the Scottish and Northern Ireland governments, Glasgow City Council, and more recently, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Together, OGP now covers some two billion people.
Second, impact. Around 40 countries now use beneficial ownership transparency - requiring disclosure of who really owns companies and property - to counter money laundering and protect national security. Over 80 governments use open contracting to shine a light on public contracts, fight corruption and save taxpayers' money. Almost 6,000 policy commitments have been developed with government and civil society together, spanning everything from the environment and open justice to artificial intelligence and access to information.
When transparency works, it changes things.
But we live in dangerous times. Since Cameron's speech, the share of liberal democracies worldwide has fallen from 22% to 16%. Trust in governments and leaders is plummeting. More journalists have been killed in the last two years than at any time in the previous three decades. 70% of the world’s population lives in countries where civic space is repressed, obstructed, or completely closed.
The transparency revolution has not just met resistance, it is in retreat.
So with the UK soon to be back in a leadership role, the real question is not what Starmer will say. It is what his government will do - and for me, that must include three things.
First, lead by example.
The UK government is not returning to the co-chair role as an unblemished pioneer. Under the last government, it was placed under formal review for failing to meet criteria when developing open government plans. Recent improvements have helped restore some standing but the UK’s next plan, its seventh, should be its most ambitious.
Second, use open government to rebuild trust.
The priorities the government has signalled for its co-chair term – democratic resilience, shrinking civic space, online disinformation and illicit finance – are not abstract global themes.
They are visible on our streets and in our politics: in the misinformation that fuelled last summer’s riots, in Russian influence corroding our politics, in AI reshaping public services often without meaningful transparency.
Co-chairing is an opportunity not just to exchange best practice globally, but to demonstrate how open government tackles these challenges here: by involving civil society, showing its workings, explaining decisions, and welcoming scrutiny. That is how you turn summit communiqués into proven ways to build public trust.
Third, make it UK-wide.
Across the UK, devolved governments and local authorities are already OGP members in their own right, each with their own commitments and track records. The co-chairship is a chance to draw on what's working across all levels of UK government, and share that learning internationally.
Cameron spoke of a transparency revolution; Starmer's task is restoration.
The principles of open government have not changed since its founding: more people should see, question and shape the decisions that govern their lives, because it builds trust, and improves outcomes. What has changed is the urgency – and the opportunity for the UK to lead abroad not just by title, but by example at home.
Kevin Keith is chair of the Open Government Network