Political recruitment: how local parties recruit councillors

How can political parties recruit a greater diversity of local councillors?

This report looks at how the three main political parties select local councillors and suggests ways they could recruit from a broader cross-section of society.

The report:

• examines how political parties select candidates;
• looks at how other areas of civic society identify local talent to serve in governance roles;
• highlights examples of good practice in encouraging a wider range of the local population to become councillors;
• identifies barriers in attracting councillors of working age.

The author finds the current trend is for a bias towards white, middle-aged, male candidates. He recommends a five-point improvement plan to help political parties to broaden their recruitment practices.