How do I get involved in my local area?

[Missetch]

I'm relatively new to the area I now live. What can I do to become involved in local politics etc?

This probably sounds vague and ignorant but I just want to become more engaged in what's going on around me now that we've settled in this new area, but don't know where to start...

Local parties are always looking for volunteers, contact whichever party you feel the most in tune with and jump in (says the woman who's new years resolution for the past three years has been to do just this and still hasn't got round to it!)

I'm in Scotland and we have community councils which get involved in local issues. in my experience they're not party political but local councillors attend. Have heard of parish councils not sure if they are similar? Or if you know you want to be involved with a particular party then see if they have a local branch I'm sure they will welcome new people wanting to get involved.

Join the party you disagree with least.

Go to their monthly branch meetings.

For a room full of men there's an awful lot of gossiping!

How do I find out about monthly meetings? Total novice and can't find anything about it online?

You have to join a party first.

Then they will contact you about where and when their meetings are.

Things are quiet over the summer though so there might be nothing going on until September.

Which party are you thinking of joining? Look up their federal (national) website, and on there, they should have a "in your local area" page, so you can narrow it down. Or, if you party has a MP in your area (if you don't know who your MP is, you can find it out on Wikipedia), then type their name into google and they should have a website. If you email your party, preferably locally, so the MP, or the party organiser, then they should jump at the chance to have you join in! :)

If your still interested in getting involved in local politics, your local Green party might be a great place to start, we are pretty much a friendly bunch a quick search on google will find a local branch, most areas have regular meetings and social events.