COUNCIL leader David King has said politicians “of every tribe” are challenged with keeping the electorate engaged in politics.

Mr King made the comments after the turnout in the Colchester Council elections fell to 30 per cent, adding the electorate “want competence, but see incompetence” from national leaders.

He said: “A lot of residents have only a partial engagement in politics.

“It shows in the numbers – only one third tend to vote in a local election.

“We need to be honest about this, and that is a challenge for every politician in every tribe.

“Whether people vote for a party or not, they have lost faith, they have lost heart, and they have lost trust – they want competence and they see incompetence.”

Mr King argued national leaders had created a lethargy among voters at local level.

“Incompetence trickles through when the electorate votes at local elections.”

When asked about the future of the council, Mr King said the Liberal Democrats’ minority administration had not been as unstable as some had predicted.

He said: “Running a minority administration is not ideal, but if you have stable relationships and form a shared policy agenda as we have, then you can make this work.”