Significance of these elections

When these elections were last held in 2021 the Conservative Party had made significant gains, mainly at the expense of the Labour Party. Since then the Conservative Party had several high-profile political scandals and crises and had seen a significant decrease to their popularity in opinion polling. This was reflected in the poor results for the Conservative Party at both the 2022 and 2023 local elections. As a result of the 2023 local elections, Labour had become the party with most members elected to local government for the first time since 2002.^[2]

These are to be the second set of local elections held under the Elections Act 2022, a voter identification law that was controversial,^[3][4] meaning voters are required to show photo ID when attending a polling station. This also means that the mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections will use a first-past-the-post voting system rather than the previously used supplementary vote system.

Unless a general election is called beforehand, these local elections are to be the last set of routine elections before the next general election. For this reason the results are likely to significantly influence both the date the general election is scheduled for^[5] and the election strategies for each party.

Some Conservatives suggested framing the London Mayoral election as a de facto referendum on the ULEZ,^[6] which could have significant impacts on parties' attitudes towards environmental policy.

In late 2023 Labour suggested persistently high interest rates were going to cause a surge in mortgage costs affecting 630,000 homeowners who would remortgage between then and the local elections in May. They described the situation as a "financial timebomb" and implied this would influence the electorate in the elections.^[7]

Metropolitan boroughs

There are thirty-six metropolitan boroughs, which are single-tier local authorities. Thirty of them elect a third of their councillors every year for three years, with no election in each fourth year. These councils hold their elections on the same timetable, which includes elections in 2024. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council holds its elections on a four-year cycle from 2016, so is also due to hold an election in 2024.

Due to boundary changes, some other councils which generally elect their councillors in thirds will elect all of their councillors in 2024.

Unitary authorities

There are sixty-two unitary authorities, which are single-tier local authorities. Fifteen of them elect a third of their councillors every year for three years, with no election in each fourth year. These councils hold their elections on the same timetable, which includes elections in 2024. Two unitary authorities hold all-out elections on a four-year cycle that includes 2024, and the recently-established Dorset Council held its first election in 2019, with its next election in 2024 and subsequent elections every four years from 2029.

District councils

There are 164 district councils, which are the lower tier local authorities in a two-tier system, with county councils above them. Forty-eight elect their councillors in thirds and seven elect their councillors in halves. Three district councils elect all their councillors on a four-year cycle that includes 2024, with North Hertfordshire changing from the thirds system for the first time. Due to boundary changes, some other councils which usually elect their councillors in thirds or halves will elect all of their councillors in 2024.

London Assembly

Mayoral and council leader elections

Police and crime commissioner elections

Police and crime commissioner elections

All four police and crime commissioners in Wales are up for election, to represent the four police force areas of Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales.