I put the question to Claude (AI) as to why Parishioners should request Parish Council by-elections to fill casual vacancies?
Your Democratic Right: Why We Should Request Parish Council By-Elections
When a vacancy arises on your Parish Council, you have an important choice to make. While the council may prefer to fill the seat through co-option—simply appointing someone without a vote—this overlooks a fundamental principle: you have the right to choose your representatives through a proper election.
It’s Your Legal Right
Under the Local Government Act 1972, any ten parish electors can request a by-election when a casual vacancy occurs. This isn’t a privilege granted by the council—it’s your statutory right as local voters. By exercising this right, you’re ensuring that the person representing your community has been chosen by you, not selected behind closed doors.
Democracy Needs Exercise
Like any right, if we don’t use it, we risk losing the habit of democratic participation. When councils routinely fill vacancies through co-option, several problems emerge:
Lack of accountability: Co-opted councillors haven’t faced the scrutiny of an election campaign or earned your vote. They owe their position to existing councillors, not to you.
Reduced representation: Elections give multiple candidates the chance to put forward their ideas. Co-option typically means considering only those who happen to apply, often from a narrow circle of existing contacts.
Weakened democracy: If we accept that saving money justifies bypassing elections for casual vacancies, what precedent does that set? Democratic processes have value beyond their cost.
The Money Question
Yes, by-elections cost money—typically a few thousand pounds. Councils will emphasize this expense. But consider what you’re paying for: the fundamental right to choose who makes decisions about your local services, budgets, and community priorities. Is that not worth the price of democratic legitimacy?
Moreover, Parish Council precepts often run to tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds annually. The cost of a by-election is a small fraction of the budget councillors control.
Taking Action
If you believe your community deserves to choose its representatives properly, gather ten fellow electors and submit your request for a by-election to your District or Borough Council’s Electoral Services within 14 working days of the vacancy being advertised.
Democracy isn’t just about saving money—it’s about maintaining the principle that power comes from the people, not from appointments made in council chambers. Use your right, and use your vote.
For more information about requesting a parish by-election, contact your local District/Borough Council’s Electoral Services team.
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