Abstract

Drawing on a variety of research, including two surveys of councillors undertaken in Scotland, England and Wales, qualitative interviews and the re-analysis of existing data, this book aims to contribute towards research on local government councillors by exploring and developing the idea of "careers" of elected councillors and by examining their ambitions and the types of posts held during their period of office. In particular, the book examines the "career" experiences of men and women councillors, including the differential rates of participation, and progression to senior posts in elected local government. Developments including a growth in the number of "full-time" councillors and the Labour government's proposals for the modernization of local government make the consideration of career a prominent area. These and other issues, such as recruitment, party and gender differences are explored in the context of this book.