Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Local Elections England: 2026Local Elections 2026
Your one-stop-shop for local election resources
Guide to the 2026 English local elections
This guide looks at the 136 local elections taking place in May 2026, highlighting some key contests to have on your radar. Additionally, it explores the findings from our exclusive polling with Ipsos into public attitudes to local government and voting.
Want to talk to us about the elections?
We have decades of experience covering local elections and a wealth of valuable insight. Our experts can provide commentary, fact-checking, and discussion across a range of election topics.
Local Elections 101: Your questions, answered!
What does No Overall Control mean?
This is a question we are often asked, so we put together this informative article that looks at how no overall control (NOC) is calculated, what it means for the running of a council, and where this year’s NOC battlegrounds are.
What do Mayors in England actually do?
This short explainer breaks down the difference between council mayors and combined authority mayors (aka metro mayors). It explains what each one does, why they’re different, and why the government’s pushing for more metro mayors as part of their devolution agenda.
What is the point of local elections?
‘Why do local elections matter?’ is a question that comes up too often. Despite being an integral part of democracy, it’s not always clear exactly what your vote in a local election helps determine for you and your community. At LGIU, we’re here to add clarity.
Subscribe to LGIU
Do you believe in the importance of democratically elected local government? Want to make sure we have a thriving, sustainable sector for the future of all our places, communities, and residents? Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter and stay in the loop with all our work.
And if you’re an LGIU member, you can get so much more by signing up!
