Are you a charity - if not, why not?
We Own It is a private company limited by guarantee. Our status gives us more freedom to operate in a political framework, and campaign for political change, than if we were a registered charity.
How are you funded?
We are funded almost entirely by donations from extraordinary people - by which we mean members of the public, who last year provided 93% of our income!
We are happy for donors to fund specific pieces of work which are in accordance with our mission and our values. However, we don't take money with strings attached and donors don't have a role in our governance structure. We don’t sell advertising space or promote affiliate links on this site or any of our social channels.
Are you linked to any political organisation?
We Own It is an independent organisation, not connected with any political party. We advocate for public ownership regardless of whichever party is in power.
How do you decide which campaigns to run?
As a small organisation, funded by individual donations, we have to be very careful about how we allocate our resources. We campaign where and when we believe our supporters can exert the biggest influence, and where together we stand the greatest chance of changing things. By maintaining our focus we can be useful to our supporters, influential in the media, and speak truth to power.
Doesn’t public ownership mean going back to the 1970s?
No. Society, technology, business, and environmental concerns have changed out of all recognition in the last 50 years. Our report ‘When We Own It: A model for public ownership in the 21st century’ explains how we can make public ownership more successful than ever before.
To summarise: public ownership – local, regional and national – can help us tackle challenges like climate breakdown and huge inequality. Publicly owned organisations will have new duties, for example: to decarbonise; to ensure access for all to crucial services; to work with communities; to steward public assets and land.
We’ll replace inefficient regulators, using their budgets to create an independent, democratic organisation to represent the people who use public services. It will hold publicly owned companies to account, fight any threat of re-privatisation, and maximise participation.
Publicly owned companies could be managed by professionals day-to-day, and held accountable by a supervisory board representing the broad, long term public interest. This would include the people who use public services (through representatives), workers and civil society (social, environmental and community groups), as well as experts and elected politicians.
Why are you still on X / Twitter?
Although we have a steadily growing following on Bluesky, we have taken the decision to remain on X for the time being for the following reasons:
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We Own It is politically independent, and advocacy for public ownership cuts across political divides. We want to reach as many people as possible, whichever platform they’re on.
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Many of the people in power who we wish to influence and engage with - across the entire political spectrum - have accounts on X but not elsewhere.
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We want to stay alert, and react quickly, to the opinions of people as they say them. X is still the best place for this.
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Many of our supporters, who believe in what we do and endorse our cause, still have accounts on X. We intend to fight for public ownership alongside them. If we deactivate our account we can’t enlist their support to amplify our message.
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While many organisations and individuals have left X, it's notable that there are very few campaigning organisations which have made the break. Oxfam / 38 Degrees / Surfers Against Sewage / Common Wealth / Good Law Project for example, are all still active on X.
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X was created to be a Town Square for all. We believe in its power, alongside other social platforms, as a place where communal information and action can thrive on the internet. Ideally, an online space where the public can engage in issues that matter to the public should be in public ownership.
How can I get more involved?
The first step is to sign up for our weekly webinars, which take place every Thursday lunchtime. If you’re on Facebook you can request to join our private group, We Own It Campaigners and Supporters.
Due to our size we don't work with volunteers on an ongoing, long-term basis; however, we always need extra hands when we stage a demonstration or publicity event.