What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the fact that the majority of uncontested seats in the 2017 local government elections were in rural councils, making up 74 per cent of uncontested seats in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government | Answered on 24/05/2017
The majority of uncontested seats in Welsh council elections have always been in rural areas. These wards are usually sparsely populated compared to urban equivalents but have smaller electorates. They are also less likely to have well-organised political parties active in the area and the sitting member is quite likely to be well known locally, which can deter challenges.
However, I would prefer to see all elections contested so that people have a democratic choice.