This section resonated with me: "the political journalist and comedian Matt Chorley took me to prime minister's questions. I had never attended before and I left feeling dispirited."
That's often how other campaigners react when they come to a council meeting. They're horrified by the rudeness and point-scoring overshadowing any substantial or serious debate or even discussion.
For all democratic activists try to reject the widespread narratives that politicians are dirty or corrupt, often spread by other politicians who seem even more dodgy in the "gifts" they accept, sometimes council members really don't help! One of the worst I remember was a cabinet councillor insulting the asker of a public question, but stuff like not paying attention and asking what was being voted on doesn't help make councils look worthwhile.
Will restructuring help, with the remaining councillors having to devote more time to handle all the topics that used to be split between County Hall and King's Court? I don't know. It probably won't be worse than what's happened in the last 15 years. Maybe the new leaders can learn from Philippa Perry's advice to Andy Burnham?
Philippa Perry: Prime ministers change, but the problems stay the same. Here's my advice for Andy Burnham