Stafford is governed by a two-tier local government system.
At the district level, the **Stafford Borough Council** manages local services such as housing, waste collection, local planning, and environmental health. The Borough Council operates out of the Civic Center on Riverside.
At the county level, Stafford is the headquarters for the **Staffordshire County Council**, which meets at the county buildings in Martin Street. The County Council is responsible for broader services including education, social services, highways, and libraries for the entire county.
For national political representation, the town is represented in the UK Parliament by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Stafford constituency. Stafford also has a ceremonial Mayor, a role steeped in tradition that involves representing the town at civic and ceremonial events.