Local Elections: An Irrelevance Lacking In Normative Purchase?
What is the meaning of local elections?
Local Council elections are just around the corner. For some these constitute a cornerstone of democratic governance, offering the public the opportunity to elect local representatives. Increasingly however, there is growing concern that these elections are losing any meaningful relevance. So are local elections really an irrelevance? My thesis is, far from it.
On May 4 more than 8,000 seats are up for grabs in 230 councils across England. Analysts and opinion polling indicate that the Conservative Party is trailing by 20 points and will lose around 1000 council seats to Labour who are expected to make significant gains. Though Labour’s lead is waning, the chairman of the Conservative party Greg Hands has publicly conceded that this election will be ‘difficult’ for the party. Renowned political scientist Sir John Curtice has identified a key factor in these elections to be tactical voting by what he describes as ‘the increasingly sophisticated’ electorate.
Local councils have long struggled to cast off their reputation of being of little import in citizens’ daily lives and the notion that local council elections do not matter has gained popularity. This is evidenced by the shockingly low turnouts of recent years where the 40% mark has rarely been breached. Voters believe that local councils do not have the power or sphere of influence to make significant changes to policies implemented at a higher level, legislation promulgated by Parliament for instance.
This domination of national politics in the media often crowds out any local issues, making it hard for councils to gain traction and remain engaging and relevant. Inherently intertwined with this is the decline of local media which traditionally provided coverage of local council issues. In essence, to a large extent, the apathy towards local politics stems from the belief that no matter what the election results, things will not dramatically change. This is partially correct; for the majority, bins will always be collected, and road repairs will be made no matter which party is in charge of your local council.
However, the decisions on how these services are funded, delivered and prioritised make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. For example, a council's decision to prioritise road repairs in a particular area may lead to improved safety and quality of life for residents, whilst reducing waste collection frequency or tip services may result in increased litter and health risks. Moreover, local councils have discretionary powers in regard to planning permission and education. The choices made by local councils on these issues can shape the direction, composition and character of their communities for years to come.
Local councils also provide a platform for those wishing to get involved in politics level to engage with and understand our political system and all its quirks at a grassroots level, campaigning from door-to-door. This is a vitally important and invaluable experience for the next generation of politicians.
These elections also often assume a de facto referendum role, rating the current government in power. For example this year the electorate will have an opportunity to indirectly voice their opinion on the government’s handling of inter alia, the cost-of-living crisis, inflationary pressures and industrial action. Therefore, although local council elections inevitably lack the glamour of general elections or referendums, they are the foundation upon which the pillars of political democracy in our country are built.
The reality is that notwithstanding the outcome, the saving grace for the losers this year is that any extensive media coverage is likely to be overshadowed by patriotic headlines, with the King’s coronation falling so soon after the elections.
I am usually hesitant in applying American expressions to UK politics, chiefly because the vast differences between our political systems renders them incompatible. This time however the old adage ‘All Politics is Local’ holds true. Local Council elections are a vital component of democratic decision-making, and it would be naïve to assert otherwise.
By Malik Fraz Ahmad