Chapter 3
IN THIS LESSON
Summary (what’s what):
Councillors, mayors, and MPs all represent the public — but at different levels. If you want to be effective in advocacy, you need to know who has the power to fix what.
Councillor
Elected locally to represent your ward (a neighbourhood).
Works within a council to make decisions on local services: planning permission, housing allocations, bin collection, social care, libraries, parks, and local budgets.
They handle casework for residents — anything from potholes to housing disputes.
Councillors usually serve part-time, but are the most direct and accessible representatives.
Mayor
Ceremonial mayors (common in boroughs and towns) mainly perform civic duties, like chairing meetings or representing the area at events.
Directly elected mayors/metro mayors (like Sadiq Khan in London or Andy Burnham in Manchester) have strategic powers over transport, policing, housing, and economic development.
Their authority depends on the devolution deal struck with central government.
MP (Member of Parliament)
Elected to represent a constituency at Westminster.
Their job is two-fold: (1) national — debating and voting on laws, scrutinising government, sitting on select committees; (2) local — handling constituency casework, running “surgeries,” and championing local interests in Parliament.
MPs are full-time and often the most powerful link between the local and national.
Points of Influence
Neighbourhood issue? → Start with your councillor (e.g., housing repair, local services).
City-region issue? → Go to your mayor (e.g., buses, trains, policing strategy).
National law or policy? → Write to your MP (e.g., immigration law, education funding).
Attend council meetings (usually open to public).
Submit to combined authority consultations (mayor-led).
Email or book a surgery with your MP about bills before Parliament.