Latest news and features on councils and town hall politics | Society

Editors' picks
Bluff diamond

He's made the Tories the dominant force in local government - and now he's drawing up plans to wipe Labour off the council map. Peter Hetherington meets Eric Pickles
Let's push the cause of local democracy

The LGA is reforming itself into a hard-edged lobbying organisation, challenging the government if necessary, says Peter Hetherington
'I'm waiting for riots in the streets'

Britain is at war over rubbish. Why can't we change our dirty habits? And since when was waste such an emotive issue? Jon Henley reports
What Ken did next

He's still insulting enemies, stalking the mayor ... and refusing to rule out a comeback
Spread the joy

Can councils make us happier by empowering residents to monitor streets?
The backlash

History repeated itself with the results of the London mayoral election, says Michael Collins

Most recent

Who will come second in the fight for freedom?

Jul 5 2008:
Ian Jack: David Davis's resignation has triggered not just a byelection but a scramble for publicity
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London mayor: Johnson forced to remove his deputy mayor after magistrate claim proves false

Jul 5 2008:
Ray Lewis, Boris Johnson's deputy, has resigned amid allegations of financial misconduct and inappropriate behaviour following a Guardian investigation
London return for Routemaster by 2012 as Johnson declares demise of bendy bus

Jul 5 2008:
Passengers will have to wait until 2012 before new version of distinctive Routemaster hits bus lanes
Last stop for the bendy bus

Jul 4 2008:
London's mayor unveils competition to design next generation of bus-spotter's favourite - the Routemaster
The questions Boris Johnson's deputy was asked

Jul 4 2008:
These are the questions that the Guardian emailed to the mayor of London's office on Wednesday evening, prompting yesterday's press conference with Boris Johnson and Ray Lewis and the independent inquiry into the claims, followed by the answers
Former prison chief Narey to head inquiry into Johnson's deputy

Jul 4 2008:
Barnado's chief executive Martin Narey is to investigate the allegations of financial irregularities and inappropriate behaviour against Boris Johnson's deputy mayor, Ray Lewis
Deputy mayor's troubles could prove damaging for Boris Johnson - and David Cameron

Jul 4 2008:
When Ray Lewis stood in front of a small audience at a north London community centre earlier this year and introduced the leader of the Conservative party as 'my friend Dave', it summed up the man who had become an unlikely pin-up for the Tories
Dave Hill on misconduct claims at London city hall

Audio (5min 11sec), Jul 4 2008: The Guardian politics blogger, Dave Hill, on the paper's investigation into Ray Lewis which led to an inquiry into allegations of misconduct
Johnson deputy faces inquiry over alleged financial wrongdoing

Jul 4 2008:
London's mayor launches inquiry into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Ray Lewis
Boris Johnson announces investigation into claims against deputy

Jul 3 2008:
London mayor Boris Johnson announced today that he is launching an independent inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities and inappropriate behaviour against his deputy mayor, Ray Lewis
Will Boris Johnson's Routemaster dream reach its terminus?

Jul 3 2008:
Dave Hill: The mayor of London's competition to design a successor to the famous bus is soon to be launched. A great deal hangs on its result
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Social housing: Councils bid to scrap 'tenant tax'

Jul 3 2008:
Vulnerable families are subsidising projects in other parts of the country, rather than seeing benefits in their own area, say local authorities
Stop Boris Johnson from hitting reverse gear

Jul 3 2008:
Jenny Jones: Londoners have been weaning themselves off cars for years. So why is the mayor consulting on scrapping the congestion charge's western extension?
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Council tax dodgers face freezing of bank accounts

Jul 3 2008:
Local government minister, John Healey, says enforcement will move from magistrates to county courts
Tory councils face threat to expose bin tax 'collaborators'

Jul 3 2008:
Shadow communities secretary initiates 'non-cooperation plan' against Labour at local government level