The 2025 English local elections, held on 1 May, mark the first major political test since last year’s general election and the installation of a new government. These contests will decide the leadership of 24 councils and six mayoral authorities, with more than 1,600 council seats up for grabs and new mayors being elected in areas including Hull & East Yorkshire and Greater Lincolnshire for the first time.
What’s being decided in this election?
- Council Seats: Voters are electing 1,641 councillors across 23 county, unitary, and metropolitan councils in England, as well as in the Isles of Scilly.
- Mayoral Races: Six mayoral posts are being contested, including inaugural elections for the mayors of Greater Lincolnshire and Hull & East Yorkshire. Regional mayors oversee combined authorities with devolved powers over transport, housing, and economic development.
- By-Election: The Runcorn & Helsby parliamentary by-election is also taking place, following the resignation of its Labour MP.
Who’s voting and where are the elections taking place?
All seats are up for election in 14 county councils and eight unitary authorities, with one metropolitan borough (Doncaster) and the Isles of Scilly also holding polls.
- County councils: Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
- Unitary authorities: Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Durham, North Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, West Northamptonshire and Wiltshire.
- Metropolitan council: Doncaster
No routine local elections are scheduled in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland this year.
Some areas, including several large counties, have had their elections postponed to 2026 due to ongoing local government reorganisation, following the government’s English Devolution White Paper.
When are polling stations open?
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, 1 May.
You must cast your vote at the polling station assigned to you. If you’re unsure of your designated location, you can look it up online.
What do I need to bring to vote?
To vote, you’ll need to present an approved form of photo ID. Only specific types of identification are accepted at polling stations-those without the correct ID will not be allowed to vote.
Accepted forms of ID include a passport, a photocard driving licence, a blue badge, or an older person’s bus pass.
If you do not have a valid photo ID, please note that the deadline to apply for a temporary or emergency ID has now passed.