Local Government

We are the largest party of local government in Britain, with almost 10,000 councillors across Great Britain.

Conservative councils are greener, helping to improve the local environment and protect green spaces in our towns and villages. They are safer, fighting the crime, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti that ruin people’s quality of life. And, crucially, at a time when the cost of living is rocketing, they offer better value for money.

We believe strongly in local democracy. Too many decisions which affect local communities are currently taken by officials in Whitehall. A Conservative Government will change that by:

  • Giving more powers and freedoms to local councils, and making town halls more accountable to local people
  • Abolishing Labour’s quango state, for example by scrapping the unelected regional assemblies
  • Giving councils greater control over the spending of money that they receive from Whitehall 
  • Allowing local residents to veto high council tax rises in order to keep council tax down

Our aim is to empower and embolden people to take action themselves, whether as individuals or as members of independent organisations, voluntary groups and social enterprises.

  • News

Gove demands full disclosure in Haringey

Tuesday, December 2 Michael Gove has written to the head of Haringey Council about the lessons that must be learnt.

Loughton demands action after Haringey tragedy

Tuesday, November 18 Tim Loughton has called for urgent action to address the problems raised in the Baby P case.

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Eric Pickles MP

Eric is the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and has a long career of work in Local Government.

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Pickles Eric 2007

Eric Pickles video profile

Eric Pickles is the Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government. One of his key responsibilities is to help run the Local Government Election campaign, which was particularly successful this year - with Conservatives now controlling more than half of all councils in England and Wales.

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