Apart from shutting the door in their face – this has been known – or refusing to engage with a canvasser representing a party you don’t support, this is your valuable opportunity to ask questions about your neighbourhood and changes you would like to see. With 5,000 seats in 136 local authorities across England up for grabs, this is your chance to pin down the questions on the future of local politics.
It’s also really important to realise that as a result of local government reorganisation, many of those standing for election in May will only be in positions of power for two years, with elections for the new authorities taking place in 2027. This means the new authorities will take responsibility in 2028. As a result of this shakeup the political landscape across the east is set to change.
Ask the right questions
Many of the questions to ask your local political canvasser will differ from those you might ask during a national election campaign. Many voters feel annoyed when national policies feature more prominently on campaign literature rather than local issues. A local software developer said “I do think the focus on non-local issues is quite stupid. I’ve seen this in both the Labour and Reform pamphlets.”
So here is our suggestion for …
Ten questions to ask your local election canvassers
- Council tax is always important. For example, in Norfolk, the county council pays for road maintenance, adult care and children’s services. Norwich city council pays for recycling, environmental health and planning: 14 pence of every £1 is allocated to Norfolk police for support for victims of crime and crime prevention. Are you getting value for money?
- If you don’t think you, as a voter, are getting a fair deal – ask the canvasser why not and what will their party do to improve matters. Also if this a new candidate from a new party, you can always look them up and see what they stand for. Or how their party has impacted other councils.
- If you feel that your local amenities are going down the drain, this is your chance to complain and ask what the candidate is going to do about it. Local parks being vandalised or boy racers charging along the roads are just two examples.
- If the canvasser’s party has previously been in office, ask the canvasser why their party didn’t keep to their promises, once elected.
- Should you wish a debate rather than a political rant, ask the canvasser why they’re simply giving you political slogans rather than a genuine response to your questions.
- Ask them to give you one good reason why they should have your precious vote.
- If the candidate has a previous track record of not attending council meetings once elected, ask why not.
- Transport across the east is always contentious. Either there are too many road works, the trains aren’t running on a Sunday or the local bus service only runs weekly. If you want an improvement in this area have a debate with the canvasser.
- Rural voters’ concerns differ from those from urban areas: agricultural machinery theft, the closure of local amenities and planning permission should feature prominently in local elections.
- Should your MP not declare their taxes, never appear in the constituency, save for that valuable photo op, or simply rely on a single slogan to keep them in power, ask if a councillor from the same party as the MP will campaign for better.
Whatever happens – go and vote!
Local elections are the beating heart of our democracy, and turnout is crucial. If you don’t turn out to vote on 7 May, you won’t be in a position to protest if the outcome doesn’t represent local political thought in your ward.
Remember:
To vote you need a recognised form of photo ID, either a driving licence or passport or travel card.
Last date to register to vote is 20 April.
Last date to apply for a postal vote is 21 April (5 pm). Last date to apply for a proxy vote or a free voter ID document is 28 April (5 pm).
If you live in Cambridge or North Hertfordshire, you can take part in an early voting trial at selected locations.
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