Exploring citizen-led digital tools in Sheffield’s political landscape: A case study of WhoismyCouncillor?

We found that local parties supported the aim of WhoismyCouncillor? and saw its potential for improving local democracy. However, they also raised important barriers and trade-offs they had to navigate when deciding whether to engage with the initiative.

In terms of citizens engaging with the site, our findings suggest that user patterns mirror existing differences in turnout and demographic inequalities across the city.

Taken together, our nine Key Findings help shed light on elements of the local political system and culture, and how and where citizen-led projects can fit in.