claire preston on "Fiddling with local government won't restore trust"

claire preston — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:57 +0100

I agree with much of Suzy’s argument especially her cynicism over Labour objectives in promoting active citizenship. But I take issue with the idea that active citizenship and community is a by-product of open debate and by extension that local empowerment is pointless while there is no national discussion of big issues. Sure we need that discussion and the major parties aren’t having it. But discussion of issues at local level is intimately linked to discussion of the bigger issues too. Object to closures of local post offices and before you know it you are discussing the purpose of the state. Object to a Tescos opening on your high street and you are talking about corporate power. We need both, the local discussions and the national. And in the absence of the national, I don’t think we should give up entirely on the local. The by-product might just work the other way around.

Fiddling with local government won't restore trust, Suzy Dean

Suzy Dean — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:40:51 +0100

Suzy Dean (London, Manifesto Club): Local government has recently been given the arduous task of leading the way towards “more active citizenship, empowered communities, and ultimately, the revival of democracy.” A White Paper, expected early this summer, will explain how. In the long run it is hoped that citizen involvement at the local level will lead to an increase in public confidence in the services and institutions delivering them.

The way in which local government has been rebranded the solution for broader political problems such as disengagement and lack of trust in political institutions, sets the scheme up for a fall.

There has been an understandable attempt by politicians to find out what the public are thinking. When there are high levels of apathy and widespread mistrust in the political system, it is not surprising that political elites want to know what will make people want to engage with them. So far, this has proved unsuccessful at the national level of politics where despite endless opinions polling and citizens’ juries on almost every aspect of policy, there seems to be little that really inspires people to vote, let alone join a party. Following this lack of success throughout central government, local government has taken on the challenge, on the basis that the public may be more interested in their local area.

There are a number of indications that local politics will not be able to renew a sense of faith in politics. Read the rest of this post...

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claire preston on "Fiddling with local government won't restore trust"

Fiddling with local government won't restore trust, Suzy Dean