« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
NATIONAL SURVEY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES, 2003
6. CONCLUSION
The traditional image of a Scottish councillor is probably of an educated white middle-aged male working in a professional or managerial job. The findings outlined in this paper, and in more detail in ' Scotland's Councillors', would appear to confirm this stereotype. Almost 80% of councillors are male, only small minorities are under 35 or over 65, and the majority of those in employment hold managerial or professional posts. Councillors are also more likely than the general population to hold a degree or professional qualification, own their own home and have an income in excess of 20,000 per annum (excluding allowances).
What was unclear, however, was whether candidates who come forward for election but who are unsuccessful come from similar social backgrounds as those who are successfully elected as councillors, or whether there were significant differences between the two groups. Our research shows that although there are some variations in the profile of candidates and councillors - a slightly larger percentage of candidates are female, the age profile is lower, and candidates are more likely to work in the private sector - the differences are not significant.
The survey also found that almost half of candidates standing in 2003 had stood for election previously and around one in ten had served as a councillor. The majority of candidates in 2003 stated their intention to stand for election again in the future. This would seem to confirm that candidates and councillors are generally drawn from the same pool of people.
Given this narrow range of people motivated to stand for election to local government, measures will need to be taken to improve the diversity of candidates coming forward from those groups currently under-represented. To this end, the data and results outlined in this paper will be made available to the Widening Access to Council Membership Progress Group, whose remit includes taking forward work on making council membership attractive to a wider cross-section of the community within the current legislative framework.
One factor which may encourage more people to come forward for election is the introduction of a new system of remuneration for councillors which recognises their role in local government (including pension arrangements). Councillors and candidates tend to come from higher status backgrounds and it could be that people on lower incomes or with family commitments are discouraged from standing for financial reasons. The Councillors' Remuneration Progress Group are currently investigating options around these issues and will use evidence from both surveys to inform its work.
There will also be a need for local authorities and political parties themselves to adopt practices that encourage more people to feel confident and able to contribute to the work of Scottish Councils.
« Previous | Contents | Next »