Rules of engagement

While Londoners may be generally happier with their councils than those elsewhere, they don't know a lot about what they actually do, says Ben Page of Ipsos MORI

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Media attention surrounding the recent Mayoral election in London made it one of the most talked about in recent years; and the 45 per cent turnout was well up on the 36 per cent recorded in 2004.

Despite this, it is generally true to say that interest in local politics is still relatively low - with voting turnout generally hovering at around a third (although this tends to increase if they are held together with a general election). In the past we have found that very large minorities of people don't even know that local elections are in fact taking place in their area.

So, as the political parties begin to select their candidates for the 2010 elections, the latest London Councils Summit will rightly look at some of the important issues facing local politics: how do we better engage with local people, how do we encourage greater interest in local politics, and from a more diverse range of people?

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