Job Sharing for Councillors?

Local Democracy should be for everyone

Democracy should be one of the greatest acts of equality and yet many are excluded from the very processes it entails. It relies on people being able to engage, but unfortunately the very nature of the work throws obstacles in the way of this willingness. Time to participate and a means to participate are often the greatest challenges. Those with work, disability, childcare responsibilities and family commitments, are often unable to engage in a meaningful way and we wonder why we aren't able to attract a greater diversity of people into the political arena.

How do we address this need to expand the pool of politically active people and support those who feel hampered to engage? How do we encourage more to come into local politics and work as councillors?

Is JOB SHARING one of the answers?

During the last two years of the pandemic employers and the government had to consider diverse and often radical work practices, in order to allow civil society to function. Remote working and reduced hours were just some of the innovations. Life has changed, work practices have changed, so we should challenge what were considered pre-pandemic norms within our councils.

We should allow people the opportunity to serve their communities. Allowing people to work in a way that enables this, would be the greatest act of democracy.