Everywhere we look, political angst and activism seem to be shouting at us, through headlines, social feeds, and street protests. Across generations, people are talking about politics more than ever, but when polling days arrive, the queues are quiet, ballot boxes have space and there’s a stillness where civic action should be.
So what’s going on?
If “democratic health” is a measure of how active, connected, and represented people feel in the systems that serve them, then ours, at local level especially, might be in need of some TLC.
I don’t think it’s that people don’t care about what’s happening around them, it’s that the link between caring and feeling able to act has either worn thin, or people fear repercussions if they do.
What does “democratic health” actually mean?
It’s not a term most people use every day, but it’s a powerful one and it refers to the overall wellbeing of our democratic systems.
Things like participation, representation, transparency, and trust are so important in a healthy democracy and when they are strong, people engage naturally. However, when they weaken, we start to see cynicism, apathy, and disengagement and not because people don’t want a voice, but because they’ve stopped believing it makes a difference.
Where do community and town councils fit in?
Community and town councils are the heartbeat of local democracy. They’re closest to where people live, work, and belong, and if they’re going to have a role in reviving democratic health, they might need to do things differently. Not necessarily through sweeping political reform, but through small, intentional shifts that make participation feel human again.
That could mean:
- Talking with residents, not at them.
- Welcoming new voices (and truly hearing them).
- Making decisions visible, accessible, and transparent.
- Building resilience and confidence in those stepping into public roles.
Sometimes, it’s not a full system overhaul that’s needed, it’s just a bit of internal disruption, a willingness to rethink how councils listen, engage, and lead.
So, where next?
I’d love to hear from others on this:
What does healthy democracy look like to you?
How can local councils, and the people who serve on them, become more visible, relevant, and trusted in their communities?
What needs to change to help people reconnect, not just react?
Democratic health isn’t abstract policy talk, it’s lived experience, and maybe the first step in healing it starts with listening differently. If we want democracy to feel alive again, perhaps we need to stop shouting from our corners and start talking around the same table. It’s food for thought I’m going to start digesting at a deeper level.
In the meantime, I have developed a Community Development & Engagement workshop, aimed to help people get from consultation to action through collaboration. If you want to find out more: Click here
Democratic health of Community and Town Councils – Welsh Government
