What's happened
Polling has closed in England for local and mayoral elections, marking a significant electoral test for Keir Starmer's Labour government. Results will reveal the performance of Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK, particularly in the closely watched Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary byelection.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Electoral Stakes: The elections encompass 1,641 council seats across 23 local authorities, with the Conservatives defending over 900 seats. A poor performance could jeopardize Kemi Badenoch's leadership.
- Reform UK's Challenge: Nigel Farage's Reform UK aims to convert high poll ratings into actual votes, particularly in Runcorn, where they are favored to win.
- Labour's Position: Labour's ability to maintain its hold in traditional strongholds is under scrutiny, especially in light of recent controversies.
- Potential Outcomes: A Reform victory in Runcorn could signal a shift in voter sentiment, while Labour may need to reassess its strategies if it loses ground.
- Voter Sentiment: Polling indicates a fragmented political landscape, with Labour, Reform, and Conservatives all vying for similar voter bases, complicating predictions.
What the papers say
According to Peter Walker in The Guardian, the elections are crucial for assessing Labour's standing under Starmer, noting that a Reform win in Runcorn could indicate a significant shift in voter loyalty. The Independent highlights the challenges facing the Conservatives, stating they are set to lose many council seats, which could intensify pressure on Badenoch's leadership. Additionally, the Independent's analysis emphasizes the importance of these elections in reshaping the political landscape, particularly for Reform UK, which is contesting more seats than any other party. This context underscores the high stakes involved in the elections, as the results will likely influence future party strategies and voter alignments.
How we got here
These elections are the first major test for Labour since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. They involve 24 councils, six mayoralties, and a byelection in Runcorn and Helsby, triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury.
Go deeper
- What are the key issues in this election?
- How might the results affect the Conservative Party?
- What does a Reform UK win mean for Labour?
Common question
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What are the key issues in the local elections affecting the Labour government?
As polling opens across England for local, mayoral, and parliamentary elections, the stakes are high for the Labour government under Keir Starmer. With significant contests like the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and over 1,600 council seats at play, understanding the key issues and potential outcomes is crucial for voters. Here are some common questions about the local elections and their implications.
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What are the key issues influencing Australia's election in 2025?
As Australia heads to the polls on May 3, 2025, the political landscape is charged with pressing issues that are shaping voter sentiment. With the Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, projected to secure a majority against the Coalition, understanding these key issues is crucial for voters and observers alike. Here are some common questions about the election and its implications.
More on these topics
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Michael Lee Amesbury is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Weaver Vale since 2017, and the Shadow Minister for Housing since 2020.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
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The Labour Party, commonly Labour, is one of the two main political parties in the United Kingdom, along with the Conservative Party. It sits on the centre-left of the left–right political spectrum, and has been described as an alliance of social democr
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Reform UK is a populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded as The Brexit Party with a focus on Euroscepticism in November 2018, until being renamed on 6 January 2021.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
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Olúkẹmi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch (née Adegoke; born 2 January 1980) is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024. Badenoch previously worked in the Cabinet for prime minis
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The Conservative Party, officially the Conservative and Unionist Party, and also known colloquially as the Tories, Tory Party, or simply the Conservatives, is a political party in the United Kingdom.
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Cheshire ( CHESH-ər, -eer) is a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Merseyside to the north-west, Greater Manchester to the north-east, Derbyshire to the east, Staffordshire to the south-east, and Shropshire to the south; to the