Local democracy
The Government must go all-in on digital democracy
Piers Mulroney says the Government must heed the warning of the local elections and commit to increasing trust and transparency, connecting with voters again through digital democracy.
Pondering the polls
Peter Stanyon scrutinises how the polls went and turns his attention to the implementation challenges involved as the Elections Act 2022 comes in.
Call for remote meetings after COVID controversy
Calls for new powers enabling councils to hold remote and hybrid meetings have been renewed after a meeting was aborted over COVID concerns.
Why do we bother with elections?
Forces beyond the control of the government of your country or local area will have a major role in determining what happens in your life, says Dan Corry. So why do we fight so hard for our right to cast our vote?
Calculating the complex equation of local elections
If fear of failure at the local elections prompts action on the cost of living crisis, perhaps it is no bad thing – even if it doesn’t directly hand cash back to councils, says Heather Jameson.
The great rebuild
With local elections just around the corner, Jonathan Carr-West fears we are in a dangerous moment for democratic engagement and the process of rebuilding trust must start locally.
Scrapping supplementary vote won't improve voting system
Interim director of IPPR North, Arianna Giovannini, says scrapping supplementary vote looks like a shrewd political move to make new inroads and gain mayoral offices than any attempt at improving the voting system.
Why we must continue to reignite interest in local democracy
Without the say of residents, communities are at risk of failing to represent their people, and without representation levelling up simply won’t work, says Karen Steel.
LEPs due for integration into combined authorities by 2030
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will be integrated into combined authorities by 2030, tracking the pace of the Government’s devolution agenda.
Can local government lead Britain into the citizen story?
The guiding logic of the citizen story is that all of us are smarter than any of us, says Jon Alexander.
Liverpool launches consultation to scrap mayor
Liverpool City Council has launched a three month consultation that could lead to the abolition of its elected mayor post.
Every poll matters
The May polls across the UK may feel like a much more manageable and normal affair than the 2021 polls bonanza, but they are still important, says Peter Stanyon.
Honouring the Ukrainian spirit
The events in Ukraine have provided a timely reminder of how important our democracy is and how much we can lose. And, as Dr Jonathan Carr-West explains, councils have a vital role to play both immediately and further beyond back on home territory.
Keeping on top of electorial reform
Returning officers and elections teams will need additional resources to implement and maintain the new provisions in the Elections Bill, says Quentin Baker.
South-east Midlands eyes level two devolution deal
Talks are underway on a level two devolution deal for the south-east Midlands.
The digital and the democracy
The new chief executive of Adur and Worthing Councils, Dr Catherine Howe, has a unique perspective on both technology and democracy. She tells Heather Jameson why she is looking to the horizon.
EXCLUSIVE: Districts down over levelling up details
Disappointed district councils will make their case to the Government next week after the Levelling Up White Paper sidelined them from devolution plans.
Towards a more viable localism
Making English localism succeed needs a reform agenda for the whole of Government, says Dr Patrick Diamond. The centre and the local must work together to solve complex policy problems, not least by using city region mayors.
Local government: too big and too small?
Local government could be strengthened and made more democratically responsive by making it smaller in population, but bigger in terms of what it is responsible for, argues Professor Colin Talbot.
Brabin calls for post-COVID devo deal
England’s first ever female metro mayor has called for a post-COVID devolution deal with new powers over climate change, transport, skills and innovation.
