As the dust settles on the recent election results – and with more people seemingly turning up to vote – Mark Rogers uses this period of reflection to offer some advice to local and national leaders

So, the time has come at last for that much-needed debate about the ‘state of the state'. The growing disconnect between politics and people that last year's referendum exposed has for many, it appears, been brought into even sharper focus by the General Election campaign. And, with seemingly little learned across all parties over the last 12 months about the importance of authentically tapping into what people are truly bothered about, we now have to rely on a government underpinned by a ‘confidence and supply' agreement about which no one knows the longevity. This comes at a time when something lasting and empowered is what the country needs most.