Local elections 2026: What is each party offering voters?
Voters are preparing to cast ballots in the UK's local elections on May 7, 2026, with thousands of council seats and mayoral positions at stake. Labour is projected to suffer significant losses, potentially triggering leadership challenges against Sir Keir Starmer. The Conservatives also face major setbacks, with Reform UK and the Greens expected to gain ground.
- ▪The local elections on May 7, 2026, include contests for council seats, mayors, and the Scottish and Welsh governments.
- ▪Labour is defending 2,557 seats and is projected to lose around 1,850, according to polling expert Lord Robert Hayward.
- ▪The Conservatives are expected to lose many of their seats to Reform UK, while the Greens gain support on the left.
- ▪Sir Keir Starmer emphasized Labour's focus on tackling the cost of living and restoring 'Labour values' during the campaign.
- ▪Local election campaigns are typically driven by local party associations rather than national manifestos.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsLocal elections 2026: What is each party offering voters?Voters are gearing up to cast their votes in next week’s ballot Athena Stavrou Friday 01 May 2026 16:23 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2964436","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/local-elections-2026-manifesto-labour-reform-greens-b2964436.html","title":"Local elections 2026: What is each party offering voters?"}}Related video: Starmer will have to resign after May elections, says PolanskiYour support helps us to tell the storyRead…
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