No-one can be surprised by the recent headlines about how efforts to attract more diverse people to become councillors are still missing their target. It seems we are still failing to understand the powerful impact a council chamber where the councillors broadly reflect local residents can have. I hope the new Councillors Commission will finally get local government's house in order on this issue, as it is one which has gone on for far too long, and has done lasting damage to our reputation. Representation and engagement is strongly linked to integration and cohesion. Areas where this is strong are ones where communities take pride in their local area. These are places where councils have taken responsibility to get people interested in local politics, instead of leaving it to the political groups' recruitment drives. They are places where councils have helped and facilitated different communities in their area to unite and get involved in local issues. Whether the issue is a controlled parking zone or the council's budget is irrelevant. What is vital is that the council has been innovative and worked hard to make it as easy as possible for local people to get involved. This has helped people understand what the council does and, more importantly, how they can enable change. By promoting local government, citizenship and local engagement, these councils have started to see different types of people getting involved in local politics and become councillors. In Ealing, we have members whose families originate from countries throughout the world, including India, Singapore, Lebanon, Poland, Ukraine and Ireland. They also encompass a wide range of professional backgrounds including an undertaker, a hospitality manager at Chelsea Football Club, a travel agent and a market trader. One of our members, is a 22-year-old Asian DJ and music producer. He got involved in local politics after campaigning to ensure children could play safely in his local park like he used to. He became a member because he was able to easily access his local councillors and use the democratic process to get things he wanted done. Local government needs more people like these.
