Uncontested and undemocratic

Maltheus reads in the EDP about the rise in uncontested seats in the local elections. Theres a number of alarming figures about the lack of contested seats but the most must be 'while just 24 of the district's 127 parish wards have got enough candidates to warrant an election' in North Norfolk.

Why is this? In Maltheus's first post he got criticised by the ominous named 'Unthankroad' who said that part of the reason there was a lack of candidates was because of critical observers of some other tripe. But do we play a part? Or is that grassroots are dying in large parts of the country and that people don't connect with political parties any more but more single issues or NGO's?

I doubt many would argue that this current state is undemocratic but what is the solution? Admittedly you could run as a independent if you wished but thats not too appealing to people unless there is a strong local issue. Or is it that people don't realise the type of power some councillors can have to change their local area? Do they think they are politically impotent and subservent to the higher echelons of politicians? I wouldn't mind your thoughts....