Local Councils are responsible for our schools parks and local planning. The current voting system undermines their ability to effectively represent us. This needs to change.

The problems in local government are exaggerated versions of the Westminster's own:

• Unpopular winners

Sometimes a candidate can come ‘first past the post’ without much support from the electorate, because the votes are evenly divided between several parties and candidates. The eventual winner can be a candidate who is strongly opposed by the vast majority of the local voters. This has included dozens of extremist councillors from the BNP winning seats across England.

• Uncontested seats

Uncontested seats rank among the most disturbing phenomena in British politics. Some local contests are now so uncompetitive - so ‘safe’ - that opponents have long ceased to field candidates.

• One Party States

First Past thePost has created what amounts to one party control in local authorities across England and Wales meaning those of us who don’t agree with the politics of the party in power are effectively unrepresented. This has made effective scrutiny and opposition impossible, and left many people shut out of local government.


Find out more about our campaign to reform local government...