Petitions/Allow all public sector employees to stand as local councillors
StatusOngoing
Opened31 Jul 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

We call on the Government to review Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 so eligibility rules reflect modern working lives. We believe public servants shouldn't be prevented from standing for local election as clear guidance & proportionate safeguards can protect democracy & public confidence

We are requesting the Government to remove barriers preventing public sector employees from standing and serving as local councillors once elected. Teachers, further education staff, and workers in essential services such as water, fire, and ambulance services dedicate their lives to their Local Authority and supporting communities. We believe that allowing them to contribute through local government would strengthen democracy, improve representation, and bring valuable experience into local decision-making.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Sir Keir Starmer
1Sir Keir Starmer MP
Holborn and St Pancras
27
Peter Kyle
2Peter Kyle MP
Hove and Portslade
4
Carla Denyer
3Carla Denyer MP
Bristol Central
3
Tulip Siddiq
4Tulip Siddiq MP
Hampstead and Highgate
3
Rushanara Ali
5Rushanara Ali MP
Bethnal Green and Stepney
2
Naushabah Khan
6Naushabah Khan MP
Gillingham and Rainham
2
Emily Thornberry
7Emily Thornberry MP
Islington South and Finsbury
2
Rachel Hopkins
8Rachel Hopkins MP
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
2
Stephanie Peacock
9Stephanie Peacock MP
Barnsley South
1
Paulette Hamilton
10Paulette Hamilton MP
Birmingham Erdington
1