Learning from global partners
Among the many plaudits for the calm, efficient and professional way in which our councils organised their elections on 7 May were the comments from a delegation of international electoral observers sent by the Congress of the Council of Europe (CoE).
Fielding five teams of local politicians from across Europe, the congress’s report observed ‘well-organised procedures, handled by highly committed and well-trained polling station staff’.
It continued: ‘Election day was overall calm and orderly, and our assessment of voting procedures was overall positive. Voters, candidates and electoral staff alike expressed a high level of trust in the electoral processes.’
The assessment reflects the hard work of our councils, and the LGA will work with colleagues across the sector to build on this and address any constructive issues raised by the congress for future elections.
Observing local elections is a core activity of the congress. It has covered more than 100 elections in the 46 CoE countries, which helps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and builds voters’ confidence.
In many cases, LGA members have led the way in reporting on election practices in other European countries.
This April, I had the pleasure to visit the headquarters of the congress, which is the local arm of the CoE – a pan-European body created after World War II.
Another of its core tasks is to monitor how well national governments are implementing the European Charter of Local Self-Government. This sets out basic guarantees of autonomy, powers and resources for local councils, creating a set of binding standards, peer reviewed every five years.
On my visit, I was impressed by the impact that our members have on the work of the congress and, particularly, its work in the field.
My colleague Cllr Bryony Rudkin is the Leader of the cross-party UK Delegation, and President of the Congress Socialist and Greens Group. UK members also chair the Congress Group of Liberal Democrats and Independents, and hold the vice-chair of the Conservative Group.
In the plenary debates, Cllr Rudkin presented her important and timely report on violence towards local politicians, in which the LGA campaign on civility in public life was praised by international speakers.
Other UK members contributed to reports on LGBTQIA+ rights, coastal erosion, and free and fair elections.
I also had the opportunity to meet local leaders from across Europe, and had a very productive discussion with the president and chief executive officer of the Association of Irish Local Government, opening the door to closer future collaboration.
The LGA’s work at the congress is an important part of a wider international effort, with LGA representatives on the Commonwealth and worldwide local government bodies, our European LGA (CEMR), and the UK Contact Group within the EU Committee of the Regions.
Our participation enables local government not only to have a voice on the international stage, helping to shape the world around us, but also to learn from the innovative solutions and best practice our counterparts elsewhere are delivering – whether near neighbours or global partners – in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.