Tomorrow, voters will go to the polls in Sir Keir Starmer’s first big electoral test as Prime Minister. Across England, there are 1,641 wards, 14 county councils, eight unitary authorities, six mayors and one parliamentary constituency up for grabs. Nine months after coming to power, Labour’s honeymoon period has worn off – and voters turning out tomorrow could make their feelings known. It is the smaller parties which are widely expected to benefit in this set of local polls: namely the Lib Dems and Reform UK.
Below are ten races to keep an eye on:
West of England mayoral election – expected 2 a.m.
The West of England mayoral role received unexpected prominence this month after it was revealed that the Labour incumbent and MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, Dan Norris, was arrested on suspicion of rape and other sex offences. Norris had already made clear he would not be standing for re-election, and Labour’s candidate is Helen Godwin, an ex-Bristol City Councillor who served for five years between 2016 and 2021.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in