A newsletter dedicated to revealing how dark money and hidden influence threaten our democracy
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Twice weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 256 | Founded | 3 years ago | Last Issue | 9 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
democracyforsale.substack.comLatest Issues
The 700 freebies: how lobbyists and businesses courted Labour's special advisers
Number 10 special advisor Varun Chandra accepted 47 paid meals and event invitations from corporates and lobbyists
By Charles Ross and Peter Geoghegan
Ministerial special advisers have accepted hospitality from companies, trade associatio...
Burnham is failing his first big test as PM
What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday, we launched a video series all about how the super-rich are buying UK democracy. We hoped to nudge the Labour government to live up to its manifesto promise to “strengthen the rules around dona...
“Don’t Eat the Lettuce”: Notes from Trump’s US
A few weeks ago, I sat down to a family dinner in a brightly-lit restaurant on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky. As the meal began, the table buzzed with chatter. Attentive waiting staff passed around plates of salad.
But then somethi...
How the super-rich are buying UK democracy
The idea that money buys influence in British politics is hardly new. Lloyd George was selling peerages a century ago. ‘Cash for access’ scandals long predate the digital age.
But the sums involved today are on a different scale.
When I f...
Revealed: the foreign governments behind Westminster's cross-party groups
By Daniel Tester, Peter Geoghegan and Lucas Amin
A cross-party group of MPs and peers focused on Britain’s use of nuclear submarines to counter the military rise of China is run by a think tank funded by the Taiwanese government, Democracy...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Democracy for Sale.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 84 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
SEO Reach
Where Democracy for Sale ranks on Google, and how much search traffic it brings in.
| Ranked Keywords | 984 | Monthly Search Traffic | Top Keywords |
|---|
Chart Rankings
How this newsletter ranks in the official Substack charts.
| #25 | |
| #30 |
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Editor of award-winning investigative newsletter Democracy for Sale. Author of best-selling book of same name. Winner of 2026 Paul Foot Award.
Investigative reporter based in London covering dark money and hidden influence with a special focus on the environment.
I am Professor of International Relations at the University of Exeter and a research associate of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. I was an aid worker in West Africa and Central Asia and an academic in the Kyrgyz Republic and the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Democracy for Sale?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Democracy for Sale on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Democracy for Sale have?
To see how many people subscribe to Democracy for Sale, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Democracy for Sale?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Democracy for Sale as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Democracy for Sale?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Democracy for Sale using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Democracy for Sale?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Democracy for Sale. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Democracy for Sale?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.