Cracking The Whip

摘要

This week's IDeA survey finding that little has changed in the demographic make-up of councillors comes as no surprise, since it confirms a consistent trend. Indeed, the surprise is that anyone should be surprised by the results. But, while we may know the problem, that councillors do not in themselves reflect the communities they serve, seeking solutions, so far, eludes us. Another IDeA survey, last autumn, of candidates standing to be councillors* found that they, too, comprise the same demographic make-up. In other words, if you culled elderly, white, male councillors in order to make way for young, ethnic, female candidates, you would simply find more elderly, white, males. One of the questions often asked is whether the party system puts off more representative candidates who would otherwise consider standing as a councillor, but balk at the idea of being under the party whip.