With local elections coming up, will you vote and why?

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,
As many of you know, we often draw on Mumsnet conversations to show politicians and policymakers what life actually looks like for families.

With elections coming up across Scotland, Wales and parts of England, we’d really like to hear where you are on it all.

Are you planning to vote? What’s shaping your decision? And what issues matter most to you locally right now - are they being addressed in a way that actually feels meaningful?

We also know plenty of you feel disillusioned with politics, or unsure whether engaging makes any difference. If that’s you, it would be really helpful to understand why - and what, if anything, might change your mind.

Thanks,
Justine

Yes, that's in contrast to many council members like social workers and safeguarding heads who are able to keep their names out of any care home scandal in the papers, and often aren't even named. I think in my area - Surrey - they are able to pay to make their names invisible, some of the show up a lot on duckduckgo and hardly at all on Google.

But then within their own remit, these types enjoy more power than MPs anyway, who are often just lobby fodder.

I do agree it's odd that MPs should have to publish their exact address given everything - maybe the reasons some of them like to claim for a spare pad in London?

Yes. Always. Lib Dem to keep reform/Tories out. Labour would be my preference but it’s a wasted vote here.

Yes, I vote.

This is, at a minimum, to honour the incredible efforts and sacrifices of Pankhurst and others that mean I have that opportunity and to recognise that many, many others around the planet cannot vote.

Due to a last minute opportunity to be a poll clerk, I can't vote this week because I'll be at another polling station 6am - 10pm +. I was unexpectedly offered the job of poll clerk after the deadlines so cannot not organise a postal/proxy vote.

Since I am facilitating voting for others, I feel less bad about not actually voting this time.

I always vote as I feel it is a duty. I will vote for whoever is most likely to keep Reform out, which for me will be Lib Dem. Morally, I find it hard to support any of them.

I never not vote - and personally think it should be legal that everyone who can, does vote.

LibDems hold about 70% of local council seats with Tory being 25%. I'd usually vote green but this time will vote LibDems to try and make sure reform don't get a look in, though judging by the flags around the last couple of years I think they won't be kept completely at bay.

I always vote, out of respect to the women who fought so hard to enable this.

I'll vote locally as I did in the General Election, for Labour, because although I'm really rather fed up with them at present, I think they're the best we've got. I actually feel for Keir Starmer, who I believe to be a decent person - I think his lack of charisma is the major issue: look at how much people put up with from Johnson, just because he was amusing....

Yes. I always vote. I believe that you cannot complain about the government/governance etc if you do not use your vote.

Also politically homeless, I will be voting tactically to keep the twin threats of Reform and the Greens out of power.

Yes I’ll vote. It’ll be for the party I want to do well at a GE. It’s an indicator of support.

I’ve voted in every election since I turned 18, but this is the first time I honestly feel like there isn’t a party I can support. I’m completely unsure what to do.