Title

CLIMATE CHANGE

Beware the rise of conspiracy theories in our local politics

Conspiracy theories thrive in the absence of transparency and effective communication, says Jessica Studdert. 'Part of the answer must lie in more, not fewer opportunities for public participation in decisions and building buy-in over trade-offs.'

Conspiracy theories have long lurked in the shadows of our public discourse but are beginning to creep into the mainstream.

The rise in online news consumption, combined with the isolation of Covid lockdowns, has created more space for ideas to take hold. In the UK, we have been bystanders to the increasing influence of conspiracy theories like QAnon on US politics and Trump's post-truth reality distortions. Now, some of our own national politicians seem determined to indulge in similar ways.

Transport secretary Mark Harper used his party conference speech to claim how ‘sinister' the ‘idea' is that councils can ‘ration who uses roads' and ‘decide how often you go to the shops'. Of course, no council has attempted to do this, but the truth is less important than the signal, and this has created greater risk for navigating complex long-term decisions.

His comments echoed the distortions of the 15-minute city concept that have been gaining traction in many local areas, which has become increasingly conflated with local measures to ease traffic congestion.

It had come as a surprise to many that such a niche urban planning concept focused on making neighbourhoods more accessible and liveable, could be deemed a tool of government oppression. But herein lies the problem – conspiracy theories create hidden traps that conventional practice falls into. Campaigns using online platforms enable those citing reasonable, practical objections fast become exposed via algorithms to more sinister narratives which frame institutional intent. And sometimes the actions of those institutions – however well intentioned – can help feed those narratives.

Conspiracy theories thrive in the absence of transparency and effective communication. If we are to effectively navigate future big challenges like public health and climate change, part of the answer must lie in more, not fewer opportunities for public participation in decisions and build buy-in over trade-offs.

Jessica Studdert is deputy chief executive at New Local

X – @jesstud

CLIMATE CHANGE

How councils will fare under Fair Funding 2.0

By Jonathan Meek | 04 September 2025

Simon Christian and Jonathan Meek analyse the impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on different council types and highlight the winners and losers among the...

CLIMATE CHANGE

Inclusive leadership for a resilient tomorrow

By Dawn Faulkner | 04 September 2025

Dawn Faulkner says it’s time to celebrate the contributions of women in the public sector landscape and that the stories we tell will help shape the leaders ...

CLIMATE CHANGE

Shifting the levers of control to the local

By Max Wide | 03 September 2025

Max Wide says it is time to fundamentally alter the dynamics of the relationships between localities and the institutions that serve them, and he sets out fo...

CLIMATE CHANGE

New politics, new tensions

By Rob Whiteman | 02 September 2025

As Reform UK gathers this week for its annual conference, Rob Whiteman argues that with the party gaining control of some councils, local government must sup...

Jessica Studdert

Popular articles by Jessica Studdert