Local elections
Elections are a family affair
Andrew Seekings looks at how Cumbria is preparing for the electoral challenges of local government reorganisation as it plans for next year’s elections to the shadow authorities and beyond.
It’s now or never for modern democracy
The electoral landscape is now ‘more crowded than ever’, while council resources have been ground down, says Laura Lock – and she warns that professionals do not have limitless capacity.
Johnson: Bring your devolution plans to me
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for local leaders to take their devolution plans to him in a keynote speech from the West Midlands this morning.
‘Sweeping reform’ of elections required
Election officers have warned of an electoral system that is in 'danger of failing’.
Model routes to democracy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says Sheffield voters' decision to reject the strong leader model was a 'victory for democracy'. But Henri Murison rejects the case for committee decision-making while Cllr Tony Page argues for a hybrid approach.
On the right track in West Northants
Had the enormity of the task facing the new West Northamptonshire Council been set out as a business continuity exercise it would have seemed a bit far-fetched, says Rebecca Peck – but a bright future lies ahead.
Playing the NOC game
The 2021 local elections have resulted in more councils under no overall control. While uncertainty may be in play, understanding the ground rules of the new arrangements will lessen the chance of instability, says Ed Hammond.
There may be trouble ahead
While the tectonic plates of politics shifted decisively in Shire England after Super Thursday, there are potential problems ahead for the Conservatives, says Paul Wheeler.
Levelling up transformatively
The tension between two very different approaches to levelling up could be 'a significant structural fissure in our political life over the next few years’, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West.
Local elections 2021: Addressing low pay and inequality
Those elected on 6 May must not miss the opportunity to secure better working lives for local people, argues Rachel Kay.
Local elections 2021: The system creaked in the face of the number of polls
There were a variety of problems both ahead of and during polling day, says Peter Stanyon.
Local elections 2021: Ideas for new administrations
Tom Lloyd Goodwin of CLES lays out eight approaches to tackling the range of problems that threaten to overwhelm the in-trays of new local government and devolved administrations.
Local results will supercharge the levelling up ambitions
The Conservative government is now set to enjoy an assured position of dominance and power at local and national level, says chief executive of Localis Jonathan Werran.
Elections like no other
Sheila Oxtoby outlines the scale of the preparations for the operation of polling stations and counts to mitigate risk and ensure openness and transparency during 'elections like no other'.
Is Government brave enough for post-pandemic reform?
There is a blueprint for public sector reform ready for the post-pandemic era, says Heather Jameson. 'It just remains to be seen if the Government can do the right thing – and resist the urge to centralise.'
The case for virtual meetings
Jackie Weaver – star of Handforth Parish Council’s viral meeting – argues the case for stepping out of the dark ages and allowing councils to hold their meetings online.
Gosport in £40k postal ballots gaffe
The council has been forced to send out replacement ballot papers to more than 10,000 postal voters after it was found they were not legally valid.
Problematic predictions
Paul Wheeler looks at how the Super Thursday electoral feast is shaping up. He highlights the key trends that are marking these ‘postal vote elections’.
Admit when you’re wrong
If we know less and less about successes and failures because we allow denial of the truth and a refusal to admit mistakes, then we will be a weaker society for it, says Dan Corry.
Making elections meaningful
We need two things from our electoral system says Dr Jonathan Carr-West – enough stability to maintain public confidence and the possibility of meaningful change. But have we got the balance quite right?
