People across the country will be making their way to their local polling station on May 1 to cast their vote in their local election. However, Londoners might be wondering why none of the city’s boroughs are holding elections this year.
Local government elections take place at least every four years, with either all councillors being elected every four years or half being elected every two years. Authorities can also opt to elect one-third of all councillors every year for three years and hold no elections in the fourth year.
The last set of local elections for London boroughs took place in 2022, during which every seat was open for election. This means that the next set of local elections in London won’t take place until 2026.
Having said this, the City of London Corporation election was held on March 20. The event saw all 100 Common Council seats across the Square Mile’s 25 wards being up for grabs, with 78 independents claiming victories.
This year’s May local elections are taking place in 24 of England’s 317 councils. These include 14 county councils, 12 of which are currently run by the Conservatives.
Eight unitary authorities are also up for election, only one of which is not managed by the Tories. All 55 seats of the metropolitan district that is Doncaster City Council are also up for grabs.
Mayoral elections
Mayors for the local authorities of Doncaster and North Tyneside are also set to be elected alongside the combined authorities of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, Hull and West Yorkshire, as well as the combined county authority of Greater Lincolnshire.
The last election for Mayor of London took place in May 2024, with elections taking place every four years. This means the next one will be in 2028.
Individuals wishing to vote in the upcoming local elections must be registered to do so. They also may be asked to show photo ID while at the polling station.
Applications to register to vote and vote by post have now closed for the local elections on May 1. However, you can still apply to vote by proxy before 5pm on April 23.
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