Local Elections 2026

[Forest Hill Climber]

With the elections coming up soon, it's interesting to note that residents over the boundary in Lewisham have a different system of local government than Southwark. Lewisham has a directly elected Executive Mayor while Southwark has kept a traditional local authority structure. Nothing is perfect, but I think Lewisham made a mistake with the Executive Mayor in that it blurs the legislative branch and executive branch of governance, and makes serious scrutiny of decisions less likely to happen - especially in a Borough like Lewisham which is essentially a one-party state.

None of the political parties are offering any major reforms of local government for London, which is very disappointing since it seems obvious that having 33 local authorities - all with their own internal administrations - is not a good way to run things, when most of them are struggling even to maintain basic services.

Edited 4 hours ago by Forest Hill Climber

[James Barber]

Bit nerdy. But the traditional form of England/Wales local government was based on committees with themehmbers in proportion to the respective political parties numbers. 

Blair government introduced for councils that chose it cabinet structure where the majority hold roles covering each of  former committee would decide/confirm. Additionally a Blair option for a super council leader Mayoral role such as Lewisham rather than ceremonial mayoral role who chairs council Council Assemblies of all councils. A number of councils have since moved from exec Mayoral role to cabinet basis. 

Without Councillors being elected via a Proportional Voting system I personally would prefer to see a return to committee decision making structure. It ensures all Councillors have to know what they're doing rather than the ruling party leaving it to a few cabinet members and the rest just voting at Council Assemblies how they/re told. Just a personal view. 

[Penguin68]

1 hour ago, Forest Hill Climber said:

None of the political parties are offering any major reforms of local government for London, which is very disappointing since it seems obvious that having 33 local authorities

Yes, it's a missed opportunity, then the government could postpone elections in London as well, as they have done (spuriously by the 'request' of the local authority) across vulnerable swathes of the country. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Penguin68

[malumbu]

In deed Penguin.  Nothing to do with the fictitious reorganisation if local authority boundaries.  Keep the conspiracies coming!

[Penguin68]

12 minutes ago, malumbu said:

Nothing to do with the fictitious reorganisation if local authority boundaries

Yes, absolutely nothing. In the past such reorganisations we're carried out without suspending democracy.