Why local elections matter

LGBTQ+ people across the UK rely on local government to make their voices heard.

Engaging with local government is a great way to speak up for yourself and your community. 

What are local authorities?

In the UK, local authorities provide vital public services and set certain rules and regulations in their area. Outside London there are different types of local authorities. There are county councils, unitary councils, district and borough councils.

A councillor’s job is to represent their local area and the people who live in it. Like MPs in parliament, your local councillors make decisions that are then put into action by civil servants. Most councillors are elected once every four years in local elections.

What does a local authority do? 

Unlike parliament, local authorities are directly responsible for delivering public services. Local public services are probably delivered in whole or in part by your council. Services run by local authorities include: 

Councils also set some of the rules and regulations in your local area, such as: 

Local authorities also work closely with public bodies like the Police or the NHS to deliver services like community policing and sexual health clinics.

Issues you can raise with your local authority 

Because local authorities are responsible for many different public services, they can make a big difference in public life. 

From bin collection to leisure centres, there are lots of areas in which councils make decisions, but councils make choices that specifically impact LGBTQ+ people. For example:

• Services like LGBTQ+ centres, or spaces for LGBTQ+ community groups
• How schools integrate trans and gender-nonconforming kids
• Sexual health clinics for gay/bi men or trans people
• Public safety initiatives in queer districts like a gay village
• Licensing for LGBTQ+ nightlife and venues
• Inclusive facilities for LGBTQ+ people at leisure centres

These are just a few examples of services and regulations that you could contact your local authority about.

Perhaps the issue you care about isn’t LGBTQ+-specific. There are thousands of potential issues that you may choose to raise with your local authority. This useful diagram from New Local lists the kinds of services that local authorities provide. You could use it to identify if your council is responsible for the service or issue that you want to talk about.

The benefits of local democracy

Engaging with your local authority can be more effective than a nationwide approach. There are many benefits to working within your local area:

It’s more direct – The public aren’t allowed to stand up and talk in parliament (unless specifically invited), but you can attend council meetings and be heard directly. This is a powerful tool. 

It’s more personal – It’s sometimes easier to develop a relationship with councillors and local decision makers than MPs and larger institutions because they are responsible for far more people and so may have less time.

Local elections matter

The biggest way you can affect how your council is run is to vote in local elections. Much like parliament, the political party with the most councillors runs the council and decides what policies it wants to implement. This could involve changes to LGBTQ+ services, or how schools engage with LGBTQ+ issues.

You can find out how to register, and whether you’re eligible here, or through guidance from Electoral Commission. Find the date of the next election in your area here.