There’s no legal requirement for councillors/mayors to be proficient in English. This can lead to communication barriers in meetings and with constituents. This petition calls for mandatory English fluency for these roles.
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In recent years, viral media clips have raised concerns about English proficiency among some ceremonial mayors and councillors. Discussions question if limited fluency impairs public communication. These cases support calls for mandatory English proficiency and English-only official meetings for clarity and accessibility.
Monday 20th April 2026
Government expects local authority public meetings not to be conducted in foreign languages. Local authorities are already empowered to offer training for their members where they feel it necessary.
Local democracy depends on meetings being open, transparent and accessible. Councillors and mayors, as elected representatives, are expected to communicate clearly so that local authority decisions can be understood, scrutinised and reported on by the public. The government guidance, Open and accountable local government: plain English guide
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-and-accountable-local-government-plain-english-guide
promotes the use of clear language and recommends that formal local authority meetings should not be conducted in foreign languages to facilitate public scrutiny.
Qualification for local government membership is already set out in legislation, and it is not the government’s intention to introduce additional requirements. Local authorities are independent of central government and, subject to the Local Government Act 1972, are best placed to regulate their own proceedings through standing orders and to provide training for members where appropriate. The public’s ability to hold councils to account relies on decisions being taken openly at local level.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government