…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Rishi Sunak will face his first significant electoral test as prime minister next week when voters across much of England head to the polls to select thousands of new councillors.
Over 230 local authorities are holding contests, ranging from small rural councils to some of the largest towns and cities in the country.
Polls are also taking place to select mayors in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield, and Middlesbrough.
Local elections typically reflect voters’ attitudes about neighborhood concerns, such as when bins are collected, the state of parks and pavements, or access to libraries and hospitals.
They can also be a verdict on the main political parties and their handling of big issues, which in 2023, are likely to be the cost of living, the NHS, and public services.
The 2023 local elections will take place on May 4, 2023, in England, with polls closing at 10 pm.
The counting for 63 councils will commence on the same night.
The majority of results are expected to be announced the following day, Friday, May 5. Local elections for 11 councils in Northern Ireland have been delayed by two weeks to May 18, to avoid clashing with the King’s coronation on May 6. No elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales this year.
Over 8,000 council seats will be up for grabs on May 4, with most areas of England participating.
London, Birmingham, Cornwall, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria are among the areas not holding elections.
Of the councils holding elections, 152 are district councils, many of which are currently run by the Conservatives.
By contrast, almost all of the 32 Metropolitan boroughs holding elections this year are already run by Labour.
The remaining 46 councils holding elections on May 4 are unitary authorities and include many large towns and built-up areas across England.
Many are currently run by coalitions of two or more parties or by one party as a minority administration.
For the first time in England, voters will need to present photographic identification at their polling station to cast a ballot.
Anyone without an accepted form of ID can apply for a special certificate from their council before the deadline of April 25.
Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, which means some people may be unable to vote.
Forms of acceptable ID include a driving licence, passport, PASS card, or Blue Badge.
Contests that will be closely watched include a number of councils in traditional Conservative heartlands in the south and Tory seats in the former Labour “Red Wall” in the north.
Labour will be looking to gain ground on the Tories in southern England, while the Liberal Democrats will hope to cement their success in last year’s local elections by repeating successes in places such as St Albans, South Cambridgeshire, and Chelmsford, where they have increased councillors by 30 per cent in the past couple of elections.
In summary, the 2023 local elections in England will be a significant test for Rishi Sunak as voters head to the polls to choose thousands of new councillors.
The elections will reflect voters’ attitudes about neighbourhood concerns, as well as the main political parties’ handling of big issues.
These elections will take place on May 4, 2023, in most parts of England, with over 8,000 council seats up for grabs.
Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, and for the first time in England, voters will need to present photographic identification to cast their ballot.
The results will be closely watched, particularly in traditional Conservative heartlands in the south and Tory seats in the former Labour “Red Wall” in the north.
The Liberal Democrats will also be hoping to cement their success in last year’s local elections.