New Chair of Westminster Foundation for Democracy and new governors appointed by Foreign Secretary 

Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP, Alice Macdonald MP, Tom Morrison MP, the Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP, Duncan Hames and Iain Wright have been appointed as new members of Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s (WFD) Board of Governors by David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary at the Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Yasmin Qureshi MP will serve as the new Chairperson, bringing extensive experience to the role. 

Speaking of their appointments, Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Development said:

"Strengthening democratic governance overseas is crucial for both our security and our prosperity. Westminster Foundation for Democracy plays a vital role in this, helping to build political systems around the world that deliver real change for their citizens. WFD’s unique relationship with the UK Parliament, and its cross-party Board is a pillar of its success. I’m delighted the Foreign Secretary has appointed Yasmin Qureshi MP as Chair, alongside new Board members Duncan Hames, Iain Wright, Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP, Alice Macdonald MP, Tom Morrison MP, and Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP, to continue this important work."

WFD’s CEO, Anthony Smith said:

“I am pleased to welcome Wendy, Alec, Alice and Tom to WFD’s Board of Governors, and to have Yasmin appointed as Chair. As we confront challenges such as disinformation, democratic backsliding, and the need to advance women’s political leadership, their expertise and vision will be invaluable. In partnership with colleagues around the world, we will champion inclusive, resilient democracies to tackle the issues that matter most."

About WFD

WFD is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world and is governed by a Board of Governors made up of UK Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent the main UK political parties, as well as independent members. The organisation operates at arm’s length from government ministers. 

Inclusive and accountable democratic governance can address the world’s most pressing issues, from combating corruption to tackling climate change. Global democracy ratings are in decline, and democracy everywhere needs work to strengthen, improve and defend it. WFD partners with UK political parties, parliaments, electoral and financial audit institutions to help countries make their governments fairer, more effective and more accountable. 

WFD’s approach is problem driven and locally lead. WFD works globally to advance democratic governance on key initiatives such as protecting women from violence in the Middle East, engaging women, young people, and persons with disabilities in politics in sub-Saharan Africa and building trust in democracy in the Western Balkans.

About Yasmin Qureshi MP

Yasmin Qureshi MP is the Labour MP for Bolton Southeast. Yasmin was elected to Parliament in 2010. Since then, she has served as Shadow International Development Minister where she oversaw scrutiny of the UK Government’s agenda in South Asia, on Gender Equality and Good governance. She has also served as a Shadow Justice Minister overseeing the Government’s agenda on Prisons and Probation, and later Courts, as well as Shadow Women and Equalities Minister.

In addition to this she has been leading a parliamentary campaign for the victims of a drug called Primodos as Chair of the APPG on Hormone Pregnancy Tests. Yasmin is the Chair of the APPG on Dentistry and the Chair of the APPG on Pakistan, and a UK representative in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Prior to becoming an MP, Yasmin was a practising barrister in criminal law for the Crown Prosecution Service and later in private practice. In the early 2000s she worked for the UN Mission in Kosovo on developing the Department of Justice.

Yasmin said:

"I am honoured to be appointed Chair of Westminster Foundation for Democracy. At a time when democracy faces profound challenges – with more than two thirds of the global population now living in autocracies and critical components of democracy in decline – WFD’s mission to empower inclusive, resilient democracies is more vital than ever. I look forward to working with WFD’s dedicated team and partners to support open societies, promote good governance, and help democracy thrive in all its forms around the world."

About Duncan Hames

Duncan Hames leads the public policy, research and advocacy teams of Transparency International UK, the British chapter of the worldwide anti-corruption movement. His work aims to advance integrity in British public life, and stop the flow through the UK of dirty money arising from corruption around the world. 

Formerly a Member of Parliament from 2010 until 2015, he attended Cabinet as the parliamentary aide to the Deputy Prime Minister, and also served on the board of the Great Britain China Centre. More recently, he completed a masters degree on conflict, security and development in the War Studies department of King's College London. 

Duncan served for six years of the board of London's world-leading NHS mental health trust as chair of the audit committee and the senior independent director. He is currently a director of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, and a trustee of an associated charitable trust.

About Iain Wright

Iain Wright is currently Managing Director, Reputation & Influence at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW).

He is also a Former Labour MP for Hartlepool (2004-2017) and Minister for Housing and Planning, Department for Communities and Local Government, and Shadow Minister for Education.

Other roles have included Chief Executive, North East Process Industry Cluster (2017-2018) where he was responsible for leading the trade association supporting the North East region’s chemical-using companies.

About Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP

Sir Alec Shelbrooke is the Conservative MP for Wetherby and Easingwold and Leader of the UK Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Elected to Parliament in 2010, Alec has served in various roles, including Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Vice-Chairman (International) of the Conservative Party.

Before his parliamentary career, Alec graduated with honours in Mechanical Engineering from Brunel University and managed the Nanotechnology Facility at the University of Leeds.

In December 2023, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for public and political service.

Alec lives in his Yorkshire constituency with his wife and two dogs.

About Alice Macdonald MP

Alice is the Labour and Co-operative MP for Norwich North.

Before her election, Alice was a charity leader running a global campaign against hunger and has over 15 years’ experience in international development, including roles at Save the Children and Project Everyone, focusing on poverty, inequality, and climate change. She has also worked overseas in South Africa and Rwanda.

Alice served as a councillor for five years, including as Cabinet Member for Equalities and Leisure, and is a trustee of Dawn’s New Horizon, a domestic abuse charity in Norwich North.

About Tom Morrison MP

Tom Morrison is the Member of Parliament for Cheadle and serves as Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons, appointed in September 2024.

Before entering Parliament, Tom was a councillor for Cheadle Hulme North and served on Greater Manchester’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel. He has been involved in several local initiatives, including campaigns to secure a new train station for Cheadle Village, maintain nighttime services at Offerton Fire Station, and establish a banking hub in Bramhall.

About the Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP

Wendy Morton MP is the Conservative MP for Aldridge-Brownhills.

Elected to Parliament in 2015, Wendy has held several ministerial roles, including Rail Minister, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She also served as Government Chief Whip under Prime Minister Liz Truss, becoming the first female Conservative to hold this position.

As a backbench MP, Wendy successfully passed two Private Members' Bills, ensuring greater transparency in public services and securing royalties for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Before entering politics, Wendy worked in Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service, sales and marketing, and co-founded an electronics company with her husband. She studied at the Open University and is a member of Rotary. In her free time, she enjoys charity walks and collecting Art Deco ceramics.