On Thursday, 1 May 2025, local elections will take place across much of England. Marking the first major electoral test since the 2024 general election. Voters will decide 1,641 council seats across 23 local authorities and choose six new mayors, with several high-stakes contests that could reshape local governance.
What’s Up for Election?
- County Councils: Voters will elect councillors for 14 county councils, including Cambridgeshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
- Unitary Authorities: Elections are being held in Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, County Durham, North Northamptonshire, Shropshire, West Northamptonshire, and Wiltshire.
- Metropolitan District: Doncaster will hold its local elections.
- Mayoral Elections: Six mayoral races are happening, notably the first-ever elections for the mayors of Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire, alongside contests in Peterborough, West of England, and more.
- Other Elections: The Council of the Isles of Scilly and around 1,270 parish councils will also conduct elections.
Why These Elections Matter
These 2025 local elections are seen as a major indicator of public opinion following the general election of 2024. The Conservative Party, which currently controls 19 of the 23 councils up for election, faces stiff competition from Labour, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party.
Some elections initially scheduled for 2025 in counties like East Sussex, West Sussex, and Essex have been postponed until 2026 due to pending local government restructuring plans.
Key Issues on the Campaign Trail
Top campaign issues include:
- Rising Council Tax rates
- The quality and efficiency of local services
- Broader dissatisfaction with national government policies impacting communities
Political parties have been aggressive in their campaigning, with Reform UK fielding candidates in nearly every available seat and mayoral contest.
Who Can Vote and How?
Eligible residents registered with the relevant local authorities can cast their ballots. Voters may do so:
- In person at polling stations
- Via postal vote (with applications closed ahead of polling day)
Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
Summary:
On 1 May 2025, millions of voters across England will head to the polls for crucial local elections, deciding councils and mayors. These elections will provide an important glimpse into the political landscape following the 2024 general election, influencing local leadership and the national mood.
