Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said:
“With nearly all of the overnight results in, these elections are broadly conforming to expectations. So far, it’s been a good night for Labour with big wins in Stoke-on-Trent and Plymouth; key targets in very different parts of the country. The Liberal Democrats will also be pleased to be holding councils like North Norfolk, Hull and Cotswold.
The Conservatives are losing seats and councils such as Tamworth, Brentwood and North West Leicestershire moving to no overall control. So far though, it’s a steady stream of losses not a tidal wave and is within the admittedly very pessimistic expectations they have set out. But, there is still a long way to go.
And, while many will look to see what these local election results tell us about national politics – we must remember that the real outcome of these polls is the election of councillors who over the course of the next four years will shape local services and provide local leadership. They will be making choices against a background of unprecedented pressure with council finances stretched thinner than ever before and demand for services rising.
Communities in Stoke-on-Trent or Plymouth will now have different administrations making different choices about the services we rely most upon in their daily lives. We shouldn’t forget that this is the real story for them this morning.”
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Local elections support and resources for press
Ones to Watch guide to the 2023 local elections highlights the key local contests to have on your radar in the lead up to polling day. Find out what’s at stake and up for grabs as voters go to the polls on 4 May 2023 to elect over 8,000 local representatives across England. And, watch our explainer video here.
Who runs the councils in No Overall Control? Ahead of elections on 4 May, 75 councils across England are in “No Overall Control”. Here, we look at what this means in practice.
Ipsos / LGIU polling data and why these elections really matter Exclusive polling data commissioned by LGIU from Ipsos on attitudes to local elections, the work of councillors, role of local government and new voter ID requirements across England.
Local government facts & figures includes all of the details on how a council really works, a breakdown of local government structures, stats and workings across England.
LGIU – Local Government Information Unit – is a not-for-profit, non-partisan membership organisation. We are for local government and anyone with an interest in local democracy and finding local solutions to the challenges that we all face. Our resources, innovative research and connections are relied on by colleagues across the globe.
