We should never lose sight of who we serve. For councillors, that means communities who trusted us. At the LGA, it means representing local government to Whitehall, not Whitehall to local government.
For a year, I have raised concerns about local government reorganisation (LGR) with ministers – about sequencing, safeguarding, workforce and service continuity. In March, I argued that restoring elections required ministers to reconsider LGR’s pace. In July, I led our group in pressing the LGA to speak publicly. When concerns went unanswered, Reform acted. We challenged the postponement of 30 local elections. Reform-led councils then pursued judicial reviews over LGR. Ministers have withdrawn four decisions and paused the programme.
“LGR concerns have transcended party politics”
These concerns have transcended party politics. Yet every LGA political group except Labour supported the organisation’s statement that there was “no excuse for the Government’s mishandling”.
That is particularly striking when UNISON, the UK’s largest union, warns that staff and services are in “even greater limbo”. Those staff, councillors and communities deserve certainty, respect and accountability. If Labour is serious about putting power into communities, it should trust communities with their own future. Before councils are abolished or fundamentally reorganised, local people should have the final say.
Services before structures. Evidence before upheaval. Consent before imposition. That is how reform should be done.