On Thursday 2nd May 2019, local elections will be held in 248 councils in England and 11 councils in Northern Ireland. Directly elected mayors will also be elected in Bedford, Copeland, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough, and for the newly established North of Tyne Combined Authority.
The elections provide a great opportunity to raise issues affecting refugees and people seeking asylum with local representatives. Local authorities deliver a range of services to those seeking sanctuary and set out the strategic vision and goals for the area they represent, so they are an important target for advocacy.
Whether you have an important local issue you would like to raise or want to encourage potential councillors or mayors to get on board with an ongoing campaign, the coming weeks will offer the chance to make sure your candidates are ready and equipped to champion the rights of people seeking sanctuary.
We have prepared a short list of questions and discussion points you can use, either at a public forum, hustings or in one-to-one conversations. You can find the document here.
Let us know how you get on! If you have an interesting conversation with a local Councillor, or would like any further support in preparing for a meeting, please get in touch with your local Campaigns Project Manager.
