Local interest and representation: the case of 'class' interest among Labour representatives in Inner London

Abstract

Arguments about the representativeness of local councillors in Britain often make assumptions about their disinterestedness. An introductory survey of the occupations of Labour Party councillors in London shows a high proportion of them may be 'interested' by dint of their public service affiliations. The concentration of public service interests among councillors poses problems for financial control in local government as well as for theories of representation.