A bluffer’s guide to rural politics
Initially a reluctant candidate for a Herefordshire Council seat, I discovered the camaraderie, conflict and thrill of local elections.
ByLocal government
Local government in the United Kingdom manages services for people and businesses in local areas. Some of these services are schools, housing, social care, business support and registrar services. Local councils are a common type of local authority. Local public elected councillors sit on these councils and are responsible for working with local people and businesses to provide these services. Find all our latest news, comment and analysis on local government here.
Where have all the rebel councils gone?
Nottingham is the latest authority to issue a bankruptcy notice, signalling a broad crisis for local government. Why aren’t councils…
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Exclusive poll: Tory councillors deliver dire verdict on the Sunak government
Less than a third say Westminster policies have been good for their local areas, a New Statesman Spotlight survey finds.
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Councils are the victims not the cause of their poor finances
National government blames local mismanagement, but the problems in local authorities stem from years of underinvestment.
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What would a Labour government do about HS2 and levelling up?
As the party’s conference nears, the opposition will have to set out its plans to bring economic growth to all…
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In austerity Britain, councils have sold off billions in public assets
We are still paying the price for cuts to public services – we must boost power locally to redress this.
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The ghosts of austerity are returning to haunt Rishi Sunak
As the last of the Osbornites, the Prime Minister is more culpable than most as the country crumbles around him.
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How might Keir Starmer run the country? Look to Labour councils
Labour-led authorities have governed under austerity for more than a decade, with mixed success.
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Stop making local issues national
From Ulez to Andy Burnham, the whole country is viewed through the lens of Westminster and the general election.
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The town that was gambled away
Thurrock Council has been left effectively bankrupt after hundreds of millions of pounds were put into risky investments.
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Why skills training is vital to increasing growth
Reforming apprenticeships and working with local government are both part of the solution.
Oxford Street’s decline is a parable for the UK
The failure to pedestrianise the shopping street shows our local government system is broken.
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Rishi Sunak’s LTNs review exposes the hollow promises of devolution
Both parties promise to end decades of centralisation – but only if the beneficiaries stick rigidly to Whitehall’s plans.
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It’s time for local politicians to show climate leadership
Where national parties are failing, mayors, councillors and devolved parliaments must step up.
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Exclusive: Hundreds faced jail over unpaid council tax since 2010
New data reveals how councils have been taking action against people in debt – many of whom can’t afford to…
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It’s time for the SNP to set Scotland’s councils free
As long as Holyrood greedily hoards power to itself, the public will continue to suffer.
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Andy Street: “Our devolution deal is the end of the begging bowl”
The Mayor of the West Midlands on how the “landmark” shift of powers from Whitehall to his authority will transform…
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How would Labour do levelling up?
Labour’s shadow levelling up minister, Alex Norris, on the opposition’s plans for devolution and regional policy.
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Three leadership pivots for rapidly changing times
Inflation is affecting local government delivery everywhere.
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Inside the Lib Dem and Labour assault on Tory commuterville
As England goes to the polls in the local elections, the Conservatives are under threat in southern Blue Wall seats.
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