Local government is living through political change and an “age of shocks”, including climate shocks, the LGA’s annual conference heard.
But while Britain is one of the most politically concentrated countries, with power and resources focused in Whitehall and Westminster, Independents and Greens are offering “different political choices” – which people are interested in.
Former Green Party Leader Baroness Natalie Bennett told delegates: “You in your communities are more connected; you know what the local problems and issues are. Political change doesn’t happen because the status quo says ‘we realise we shouldn’t be running things, we are giving it to you’… We have to drive change.”
She referenced the example of disabled people and disability campaigners who protested – successfully – against proposed cuts to benefits. “Campaigning works; demanding change works,” she said.
Fellow speaker Cllr Marianne Overton, former Leader of the LGA’s Independent Group, highlighted that 97 per cent of people are not members of the three big political parties.
“People are disillusioned with the big parties,” she said. “The vast majority of residents… are free and listening, and they want to hear from people like you, from people who are committed to their communities and have a track record of doing something positive that makes life better for their residents.
“You are not ‘just’ one Independent; you are Independent… You have managed to get elected through your own good qualities and track record of doing something in your communities.”