Holly Whitbread: It’s tough going, campaigning in Epping Forest – despite having a good record to defend

I have had doors slammed in my face and been called a traitor. But I keep promoting a positive, localised Conservative message.

Wendy Thompson: Here in Wolverhampton, we have a premiership team. Now we need a premiership council.

Conservatives are offering a positive alternative. We can be a strong and effective voice for every Wulfrunian.

Daniel Stafford: Recall petitions should be introduced for local councillors

This small measure may well go some way to restoring the faith of voters in democratic measures – not least in Oxford.

Katrina Wood: Government meddling is making unitary status for local government in Buckinghamshire harder to achieve

There is a very short space of time to set this new council up. Decisions on the new arrangements must be made locally.

Vivienne Michael: Collaborating across the party political divide? In Mole Valley, we are familiar with the challenges.

You have to start early earning trust with openness, honesty and a lot of work on both sides.

Rupert Barnes: Let’s do more to celebrate our historic counties

Remember where we are; remember what has come down to us. Our unique heritage is there to be opened up.

Andy Street: Our 12-point plan to revitalise 
the High Street

We need to take a dynamic new approach to our High Streets with ambitious thinking. The future is not just retail.

Miles Evans: Devolution to town councils makes financial sense

Newbury Town Council has shown how we can retain services and save money, by community collaboration. It is the triumph of the small state over the nanny state.

Stephanos Ioannou: Councils have the financial incentive to rubber stamp bad development proposals

Jeopardising local beauty and conservation for the sake of housebuilding is a real problem for councillors. We have to defend our communities.

Kevin Davis: Each London borough should have its own directly elected mayor

This change would mean streamlined decision making. It would also allow greater devolution in areas such as policing and NHS primary care.

What Americans can teach us about local democracy

It should be easier to call local referendums in the UK. Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.

Andrew Wood: The brave citizens who defeated electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets are faced with a huge legal bill

If the Cabinet Office won’t help defend democracy, why should ordinary citizens do it? The wrong signal is being sent out.

Mark Pengelly: Councillors are our local champions – select yours wisely

They can serve as living proof that politicians are public-spirited individuals who wish to drive positive change for their communities.

Andrew Snowden: What I have learnt from my first year as a councillor

Don’t try to please everyone. Focus on results not endless meetings. It doesn’t matter what it says in the minutes – nobody reads them.

Jessica Studdert: Our national politics is broken. Renewal after Brexit needs to be built from the ground up.

“Taking back control” must also allow pioneering solutions to be tried out in local communities. Democracy is a process, not an event.