Modern local government in the UK developed during the 19th and 20th centuries, alongside British democratic institutions like the right to vote. It has been a crucial hub for democratic organising from the Chartists onward.
As we look ahead to this year’s local elections, it is a good time to reflect on the importance of strong democracy at the local level for the health of democracy in general.
There are several recent studies that suggest people are becoming more and more disillusioned with democracy around the world. In the US and Europe there is even an alarming trend, among young people in particular, to believe that authoritarian rule would be preferable.
A recent survey from the UK think-tank Onward found that 61% of 18- to 34-year-olds agree that “having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections would be a good way of governing this country”, while 46% agree that “having the army rule would be a good way of governing this country”. For over-55s, 29% and 13% agree with these statements respectively. The survey found that 26% of 18-34s think democracy is a bad way of governing this country and 75% think it would be better for experts to make decisions, rather than the government.
At the same time, many people consistently report a higher level of trust in locally elected leaders than those in parliament. Now, this might seem like good news for local government and those championing more devolved decision-making. But to be more trusted than MPs is not a particularly high bar, and it definitely feels like we could be aiming higher. We also know that turnout in local elections is low – lower even than in general elections.
The Local Democracy Research Centre at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) will be conducting original research projects over the coming months, firstly to dig into public attitudes around local democracy and, secondly, to look at the process around local elections as the requirement for compulsory voter ID is introduced.
Local government is what brings together the strands, connects the threads and enables the things that we want to happen
Close encounters
Local democracy is important for a number of reasons. Many of the issues that are of most concern to people, from social care and transport to public space and housing, are managed locally. There is a recognition that if these things were decided locally they might be delivered more effectively or efficiently.
For example, the Institute for Public Policy Research found that more than 50% of people in the North think that ‘in general, more decisions should be made by devolved and local governments’, because these decisions would then be made closer to those who have to live with them.
But the local level is also an entry point into civic life for many people. They might volunteer, have kids at nearby schools, or use local amenities and services. A small number will even participate in local politics or join local political parties
If we want a stronger democracy, it makes sense to begin with democracy at a local level. Local government is what brings together the strands, connects the threads and enables the things that we want to happen. It brings together growth and services and gives people a stake in their places. It can do that because it is more than a deliverer of services. It is a democratic institution.
