Meirion Jenkins: Spending by Birmingham City Council is out of control

The relocation of a National Express bus depot for the Commonwealth Games athlete’s village will cost £15.5m – eight times more than budgeted.

Teresa O’Neill: Cutting the costs of Bexley’s politics

We have reduced the number of councillors by 30 per cent and we froze allowances for nine years running.

Simon Cooke: We need more politicians. It is the only way to tame the unaccountable bureaucrats.

Instead of seeing local councillors as a potential saving, maybe we should see them as an asset.

We are due to have fewer MPs. The number of councillors should also be cut.

In several London boroughs, the number is due to rise. That will be costly and damaging to local democracy.

Gareth Lyon: The opposition is trying to shift the focus from their local mismanagement to national decision-making

After having knocked on doors in six very different constituencies, across the South East, certain themes stand out. Social Care is one of them.

Leigh Higgins: Being a councillor has given me the practical experience to be an effective MP

In Chesterfield, people want to know about tackling potholes, safeguarding social care, and protecting the local High Street and local pubs.

Will Sweet: As a Wandsworth councillor, I’ll take my track record and continue it in Parliament

That means protecting the environment, supporting schools, and more police. It means friendly communities with better transport, homes, and high streets.

Mario Creatura: In defence of the professional politician

You wouldn’t go under anaesthetic if the surgeon were doing it as a hobby. There is a reason why a substantial number of MPs start life as councillors.

Shona Haslam: With three weeks to go here in Lanark & Hamilton East, it is only going to get busier, colder…and crazier.

The Scottish Conservatives do need to build up our activist base. The SNP has been effective in building a loud and bold campaigning force.

David Simmonds: I’m a supporter of railways, but HS2 is a misguided scheme

The current expensive disruptive route, and the neglect of decrepit local transport, are unacceptable.

Brenda Burgess: Being a councillor is about being absorbed in community life

So much of the role is apolitical. Arts projects for schools. Honouring local heroes. Planting flowers and removing weeds.

Gareth Lyon: By professionalising councillors, we are repeating Parliament’s mistake at a local level

Ever greater state funding is being followed by ever greater statism in political thought – and the decline of independent thought.

Mimi Harker: Councillors can help the Conservative Party adapt to the less deferential age of social media

Politics has changed. Elected members need to champion the community. Being aloof is no longer tolerated.

Tom McLaren: Labour’s Ilford South selection dispute shows the danger of a “strong leader” model for councils

I have seen the lack of accountability in Redbridge. The system needs to change.

Frances Lasok: Too many of our best campaigners are being diverted off to be councillors

Local government is a most effective mechanism to enact positive change. But it is hugely time-consuming and not the right role for all political activists.