As the dust settles on the recent election results – and with more people seemingly turning up to vote – Mark Rogers uses this period of reflection to offer some advice to local and national leaders

So, the time has come at last for that much-needed debate about the ‘state of the state’. The growing disconnect between politics and people that last year’s referendum exposed has for many, it appears, been brought into even sharper focus by the General Election campaign. And, with seemingly little learned across all parties over the last 12 months about the importance of authentically tapping into what people are truly bothered about, we now have to rely on a government underpinned by a ‘confidence and supply’ agreement about which no one knows the longevity. This comes at a time when something lasting and empowered is what the country needs most.

To be fair and balanced, it would be wrong to suggest that all politics is a busted flush, but it is certainly extensively flushed.

Building on the momentum generated by the referendum, the youth vote took another significant leap forward. And all the main parties saw more people voting for them. In an equally positive vein, we also know that there are some brilliant elected representatives in our places – MPs and councillors – doing their utmost to make the country a better place in which to secure health, wealth and happiness. They understand the influence, power and authority vested in them by the communities they serve and that they are time-bound vessels into which this precious mixture is poured for safe keeping, nurturing and sensitive deployment.