In the UK we have democratically elected Local, National and European representatives.


Local
The Local government consists of Wiltshire County Council, four District Councils (North, West, South Wiltshire, and Kennet) and town or parish councils. Councillors who serve on these local councils are elected by the community to represent them.

However, the four District Councils are in the process of merging and therefore there will be changes at the level of local government in Wiltshire.

National
The National Government, or Parliament, is made up of two ‘Houses’. The House of Commons and the House of Lords. A local community will elect a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent their area, which is known as a constituency, in the House of Commons. Most MP’s are members of a political party, and the party with the highest number of MP’s run the Government.

Only certain people are allowed to vote in elections:

Local Elections
You must be:
Resident in Wiltshire
Over 18 years old
British, Commonwealth or Irish Republican citizens resident in the UK
European Union citizens resident in the UK
Not subject to any legal incapacity to vote

National Elections
You must be:
Over 18 years old
British, Commonwealth or Irish Republican citizens resident in the UK
Not subject to any legal incapacity to vote

European Elections
You must be:

Over 18 years old
British, Commonwealth or Irish Republican citizens resident in the UK

European Union citizens resident in the UK
Not subject to any legal incapacity to vote

To be able to vote you must be registered with your District Council for the Electoral Register. UK law requires you to register all members of your family over 18 years old. To open a bank account or apply for credit you will need to be on the Electoral Register, even if you are not eligible to vote. You can register at the District Council offices (see Useful Contacts & Advice for addresses.)



You may also be able to vote in elections taking place in your own country from the UK.  There may be places in the UK organised to take your votes.  For information see the Polish websites (this section).



You can find out more about elections and who can vote on the Electoral Commission website:  www.aboutmyvote.co.uk .