This book is an explanation of the long-standing interrelationship between local government and political parties. It examines and outlines the differences between the political party outside the council and the political party group of councillors within the council. It explores the impact that the party groups have on the conduct of council business, decision-making and policy development and the impact they have on local representation. It addresses two questions that are fundamental to local representative democracy--who or what is it that the councillor represents, and are councillors elected to govern or to serve.

About the Author(s)

Colin Copus

Colin Copus is a Lecturer in Local Politics at the Institute of Local Government Studies, at the University of Birmingham.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Party Politics: An Unwelcome Partisan Presence or a Democratic Necessity? * Representation: The Party or the People? * Local Parties and Local Politics: A Democratic Necessity or a Sectional Interest * The Political Party Group the Leviathan of Local Politics * Local Party Groups and the National Party * Party Political Exchanges * the Councillor, the Citizen and the Community: Crises of Representation * Political Executives in Local Government: A Challenge to the Primacy of the Party Group * Directly Elected Mayors: A New Political Dynamic or a Tired Hack? * Political Parties: Dominating Local Politics