ABSTRACT

In comparison with other nations, local government in the United Kingdom is represented by substantially larger units, representing a substantially greater number of people.66 The figures reveal that whereas the United Kingdom had an average population per local authority of 118,400, the corresponding figure for France is 1,580; Germany 4,925; Norway 9,000; Denmark 18,760, and Sweden 30,040. The population size of authorities naturally affects the number of constituents a local councillor will represent. Accordingly, in France, one elected representative represents 116 people, in Germany 250, in Denmark 783, in Sweden 667 and in the United Kingdom, 2,605.