We hear of people disillusioned with politicians and have seen some low voter turnouts recently, but I believe we are standing on the threshold of a potential resurgence in the democratic process. The catalyst will be devolution.

The Scottish referendum sparked a national debate about local representation. In the aftermath, I wrote a joint letter with the leaders of the other local government associations to William Hague’s Cabinet Committee and to the Smith Commission. As representatives of local communities, it was clear that public trust in central control had been shattered. We highlighted this as the moment to revive our system by moving power to local communities.

All Party Parliamentary Groups and Select Committees are talking about devolution. Think-tanks are writing reports on it. Young people are even saying it would encourage them to vote. Just a third of 18-to-24-year-olds polled by ComRes said they are certain to vote in May, but almost two-thirds said a manifesto commitment to shift power and funding for public services from Westminster to their local community would entice them to the ballot box.