Council funding pressures and rising public dissatisfaction are set to dominate England’s local elections next month.
On Thursday, 7 May 2026, voters across England will take part in the most significant set of local elections since the 2024 general election. Around 4,850 councillors will be elected across 136 local authorities, alongside six directly elected mayors.
The elections will cover all 32 London borough councils, 32 metropolitan districts, 18 unitary authorities, six county councils—whose elections were postponed from 2025—and 48 district councils. In addition, “shadow elections” will be held for two newly created unitary authorities in Surrey, which are due to be formally established in 2027.
The contests are widely seen as an important test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which secured a decisive but relatively narrow victory in 2024. Since then, Labour’s polling support has fallen noticeably, raising questions about public confidence in the government’s direction.
Beyond England, major elections are also taking place in Scotland, voters will elect 129 members of the Scottish Parliament using a mixed system of first‑past‑the‑post constituencies and proportional regional lists. In Wales, a newly revised proportional system will be used to elect 96 members to an expanded Senedd.
New research commissioned by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) in partnership with Ipsos suggests that most people believe proposed electoral reforms could improve voter turnout. LGIU analysis of this year’s contests across 136 councils indicates that these elections may be the most unpredictable in decades, with widespread changes in council control and large numbers of new councillors replacing incumbents.
The polling also highlights strong public demand for greater engagement in local decision‑making. Three in five adults (61%) want more information about how local decisions are made, while a quarter (25%) would like more direct involvement. Although 61% believe councils have the greatest impact on local quality of life, fewer than half (43%) trust them to act in the best interests of their communities.
Public awareness of local government reorganisation and devolution remains limited. Only 31% of respondents said they were following devolution plans closely, though more people (41%) were aware of the cancellation and reinstatement of local elections linked to the process. There is no clear consensus on the best model of local government: 25% favour a single‑tier system, 38% prefer a two‑tier structure, 15% see no difference, and 23% remain unsure.
Concerns among public that they want addressed through these elections include security and safety of residents and businesses including people in Wembley, Birmingham etc.
Local polls approach amid housing crisis and service strain
Most of the seats being contested were last fought in 2022, when Labour made substantial gains amid the fallout from the “partygate” scandal during Boris Johnson’s premiership. At the time, Labour was polling at around 35%, benefitting from widespread frustration with the Conservative government.
The political landscape now looks very different. Since entering office, Keir Starmer’s government has faced criticism over policy reversals, internal controversies, and concerns about an increasingly heavy‑handed governing style. Labour has also faced accusations of weak moral leadership over the war in Gaza. National polling suggests the party’s support has dropped sharply to around 17%. While a poor showing in May could prompt renewed questions about Starmer’s leadership, there is little clarity over potential alternatives.
Reform UK is contesting wards for the first time. Although its polling has fallen to around 23% from a peak of 29% last autumn, the party led by Nigel Farage is still expected to perform strongly, particularly in rural county councils such as Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Green Party is also gaining momentum. Over the past six months, a number of Labour councillors have defected to the Greens, strengthening the party’s prospects. Under the leadership of Zack Polanski, the Greens are approaching the elections with growing confidence.
Local councils remain responsible for delivering many essential frontline services. In 2023/24, local authorities in England spent £72.1 billion on public services, with adult social care (£27.6 billion) and children’s services (£13.3 billion) accounting for the largest shares. However, financial pressures continue to intensify. London Councils has warned of a cumulative £4.7 billion funding gap facing boroughs between 2025/26 and 2028/29—more than double earlier projections.
Years of funding cuts, rising inflation, and increasing demand have forced many councils to draw down reserves, seek emergency funding, and make difficult decisions about service provision, often alongside maximum council tax rises. Local issues continue to place further strain on resources. For example, Brent Council reportedly spends around £30,000 each year cleaning paan stains, underscoring both financial and public health challenges.
At the same time, councils are grappling with a severe shortage of affordable housing, unsustainable levels of homelessness—now affecting around one in 50 Londoners in temporary accommodation—and the wider cost‑of‑living crisis. Population growth has placed additional pressure on already stretched services, while high‑profile disputes such as Birmingham City Council’s unresolved bin strike risk fuelling further public dissatisfaction.
As polling day approaches, voters face a clear choice: whether to reaffirm existing leadership at the local level or signal a desire for change.
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Your 2026 election guide
There are three ways to vote in the May 2026 elections: in person at a polling station, by post, or by proxy. Polling day takes place on Thursday, 7 May, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.
To vote, eligible residents must be registered by Monday, 20 April. Registration only needs to be completed once unless there has been a change of name, address or nationality, and can be done online or by post.
Voters who cannot attend a polling station can apply for a postal vote by Tuesday, 21 April. Alternatively, a proxy vote allows a trusted individual to vote on someone’s behalf; applications for this must be submitted by Tuesday, 28 April.
In England, voters are required to show valid photo identification at polling stations. Those without an accepted form of ID can apply for a free voter ID by 28 April. Voters in Scotland and Wales, however, are not required to present ID when voting in person in Scottish Parliament or Senedd elections.
