Hundreds of thousands of voters head to the polls in England on Thursday (today) for local elections viewed as the final maga test of public opinion ahead of the general election as England voters are electing the Mayor of London, London Assembly members, and 10 mayors outside the capital.
Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across the country and voters will also choose the mayor of London, London assembly members and 10 other mayors outside the capital.
Voters will also choose the Mayor of London, London Assembly members and 10 mayors outside the capital.
A by-election will select the new MP for Blackpool South, after the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton.
In addition, voters across in England and Wales will elect 37 police and crime commissioners (PCCs).
No elections are taking place in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
There is also a by-election taking place in Blackpool South following the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton. Voters in England and Wales will also choose new police and crime commissioners.
Polling suggests that the mayoralties in Tees Valley and West Midlands are on a knife edge and will be closely watched in Westminster for their potential ramifications in a national vote.
Forecasts say the Tories could lose up to half the council seats they are defending and rebels opposed to Rishi Sunak’s premiership have warned they would move against him if the results were poor.
But Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, told broadcasters the prime minister’s position was safe regardless of the outcome.
“I think there’s a lot of noise being made by people who want to get attention but the prime minister has the full backing of the Cabinet, he has my full backing,” she said.
How can you vote for UK local elections?
There are three ways to vote if you are already registered: in person at your local polling station, by postal vote (if already arranged) and by nominating a proxy - someone to vote on your behalf (if already arranged)
Voter must be aged 18 or over and registered at an address in the area where they want to vote and a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or eligible Commonwealth citizen and not legally excluded from voting.
Voters in some areas will have several ballot papers, for the different elections taking place.
Local councils and local elections importance
Local councils are responsible for many public services, including providing care for the elderly and disabled, fixing potholes on some roads and collecting rubbish.
Results of 2021, 2020 local bodies polls in UK
Most of these council seats were last contested in May 2021, after the 2020 elections were postponed because of the pandemic.
Voting took place alongside other elections which were already scheduled.
The Conservatives made significant gains and ended 235 seats up, with Labour 327 seats down.
Results of UK local and mayoral elections 2024
Many local election results will be announced overnight into Friday 3 May, with more expected to follow throughout the day.
Who is Tarun Ghulati, London mayoral candidate contesting against Sadiq Khan?
63-year-old Tarun Ghulati is the only Indian-origin candidate among the 13 individuals competing for the position of the mayor. 63-year-old Tarun Ghulati is the only Indian-origin candidate among the 13 individuals competing for the position of the mayor.
As per his Linkedin profile, Ghulati was educated at the University of Jaipur and went on to earn his MBA from Delhi University.
