Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Cyberpunk 2 will have multiplayer this time according to job listing
    • José Mourinho set to become Benfica manager talks confirmed
    • What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk and why was his show suspended
    • Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review – doing what Nintendoesn’t
    • Sally Rooney says she can ‘no longer safely enter UK without facing arrest’
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - UK News - Could the local elections reshape British politics?

    Could the local elections reshape British politics?

    Could the local elections reshape British politics?

    Could the local elections reshape British politics?

    • WTX News Editor
    • April 24, 2025
    • 5:06 am
    • No Comments

    Cliff Notes

    • Local elections on 1 May will see 23 councils, primarily Conservative-controlled, up for grabs, amid expectations of significant losses for the Tories.
    • Reform UK is contesting nearly all seats and aims to translate its candidate presence into electoral power, but historical precedents suggest votes do not guarantee seats.
    • Alongside council elections, four mayoral elections and a key by-election in Runcorn will occur, marking a pivotal moment for political dynamics in the UK.

    Could the local elections reshape British politics?

    Can Reform UK turn votes into seats – and from there into power? How far do the Tories have to fall? How unpopular is Labour now that it’s in government? We find out on local election day on 1 May.

    Next Thursday will see three types of elections

    A total of 23 councils are up for grabs – most in places we once called Tory shires, until last year’s general election.

    This includes 14 county councils, all but two of which have been Conservative-controlled, as well as eight unitary authorities, all but one of which are Tory.

    Then finally, there is Doncaster council, a Labour-held borough. Kemi Badenoch claims they could lose all the councils they are contesting, setting expectations as low as possible.

    Then there are mayoral elections – four of them powerful metro mayors for the combined authorities, two of which are being elected for the first time. That’s on top of two directly elected borough mayors.

    Thirdly, there’s a by-election triggered after the Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigned in March. He was found guilty of assault after being filmed repeatedly punching a man late at night.

    For the council elections, this is what happened in 2021 when these councils were last up. We’ll measure the results against the baseline.

    Notice the Tories are defending so many, so they’re the ones facing the biggest losses – “well into the hundreds”, says Sky News’ election analyst Michael Thrasher. But look at Reform too – it barely existed back in 2021, so that’s on zero.

    This is why this set of elections is going to be so interesting. 2021, when these councils were last up, the Tories were riding high – their best night for 13 years on the National Equivalent Vote, which works out the national picture based on the local results. Labour did so badly Sir Keir Starmer considered resigning.

    Since then, the Tories have plummeted – halved in vote share if you look at polls. Labour down too. Lib Dems are the same, and Greens are strong in places.

    But jockeying for joint first place: Reform UK – who are putting up the most candidates of any party – now contesting 99% of the seats.

    However, as Reform leader Nigel Farage knows only too well, votes don’t always mean seats. Look at this snapshot from the past – 2013. The same set of elections. Labour got 21% of the votes and 21% of the seats. But Farage’s UKIP got 21% of the vote and 8% of the seats.

    Then there are the mayors. Labour won all four that were contested last time, although one stepped down. Could Reform get its first taste of power in Lincolnshire?

    Or could it even be the Runcorn by-election? A massive long-shot – it’s Labour’s 49th safest seat. But will this northwest seat be the most important moment of the night? Labour insiders say they’re still hopeful.

    There are signs our politics could be changing profoundly – 1 May could point to a new future.


    Local elections on 1 May will see 23 councils, primarily Conservative-controlled, up for grabs, amid expectations of significant losses for the Tories.
    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk and why was his show suspended

    What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk and why was his show suspended

    Sally Rooney says she can ‘no longer safely enter UK without facing arrest’

    Sally Rooney says she can ‘no longer safely enter UK without facing arrest’

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Cyberpunk 2 will have multiplayer this time according to job listing September 18, 2025
    • José Mourinho set to become Benfica manager talks confirmed September 18, 2025
    • What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk and why was his show suspended September 18, 2025
    • Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review – doing what Nintendoesn’t September 18, 2025
    • Sally Rooney says she can ‘no longer safely enter UK without facing arrest’ September 18, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.