Local Elections in England to See Over 2,650 Council Seats Contested on May 2

On May 2, 2024, voters across England will head to the polls for local elections that will see over 2,650 council seats contested in 107 local authorities. The elections are set to be a significant test for the main political parties, with the Conservatives and Labour fielding candidates in the vast majority of seats.

According to the latest candidate numbers, the Conservatives are contesting 95% of the available seats, while Labour is close behind at 91%. The Liberal Democrats and Greens are also fielding a substantial number of candidates, although the Reform party has a more limited presence.

In addition to the council elections, voters in certain areas will also be choosing new mayors and police and crime commissioners (PCCs). There are 11 mayoral contests taking place, with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Greens putting forward candidates in most of them. However, the Reform party is only participating in 5 out of the 11 mayoral races.

The PCC elections will see a more limited field, with Labour and the Conservatives battling it out in all 37 contests. The Liberal Democrats are fielding candidates in 35 of the PCC elections, while the Greens and Reform party have a much smaller presence.

Why this matters: The local elections will provide a critical indicator of the national political mood and the relative strength of the main parties. With a general election required by January 28, 2025, the results could offer insights into the potential outcome of that decisive vote.

Voters will need to present an accepted form of photographic ID at polling stations before casting their ballots, as part of new measures introduced by the government. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Election Day.

The results will be declared over several days, starting on the night of May 2 and ending on May 5. Around a third of councils are expected to declare overnight, with nearly two-thirds set to announce their results during the day on May 3. A few remaining councils, along with most of the mayoral and PCC contests, will declare later on May 4 and 5.

Key races to watch include the mayoral contest in Tees Valley, seen as a critical test for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the battle for control of councils like Bolton, where Labour is aiming to regain its majority. The Conservatives will be looking to hold off challenges from the Liberal Democrats and Greens in their traditional strongholds, while Labour will hope to make gains in urban areas and demonstrate its electoral appeal ahead of the next general election.

Key Takeaways

• Local elections in England on May 2, 2024, with 2,650+ council seats contested.
• Conservatives and Labour field candidates in most seats, with Lib Dems and Greens also participating.
• 11 mayoral contests, with major parties fielding candidates in most; 37 PCC elections.
• Voter ID required; results to be declared over several days, starting May 2.
• Key races to watch include Tees Valley mayoral contest and control of councils like Bolton.