A bid to increase the turnout at elections is the stated aim of the recommendations in the government-sponsored Councillors Commission report. The report has also suggested ideas to encourage more diversity among local council candidates. These include lowering the voting age to 16, setting a three-term limit on council leaders and elected mayors, ‘all-out elections’ for all councils every four years instead of the mixed system of staggered elections in many areas, and placing mock polling booths at citizenship ceremonies. The commission also proposes that councils should be given the option of introducing proportional representation.  

 We need to revitalise local and democracy and strengthen its legitimacy and powers. The commission is absolutely right to recommend fair and proportional voting. However I am concerned about proposals to introduce term limits for councillors, it is fundamentally undemocratic to tell voters that popular councillors cannot be re-elected. 

 Local councillors need to be leading local campaigners and representatives NOT the states local managers kowtowing to every edict from Whitehall.  

 Some of the proposals will encourage some people to become councillors who will simply see being a councillor as a ‘good career move’ on their way to other jobs. I want to see passionate local campaigners, fighting for local residents being elected and proudly keeping their ‘day jobs’.  

Councillors should belong to their electors, NOT to the council or this rotten government.