With almost a third of all English council seats falling vacant on 7 May, and nearly half the electorate able to cast a vote, there is scope for quite radical change to the pattern of local government.
The final quarter of 2025 established a record, with 62 per cent of by-elections lost by the defending party.
I am pleased to confirm that Jenny Rowlands has been appointed as the LGA’s Interim Chief Executive.
As we begin the year, the decision to delay some of the local elections has given many of us pause for thought.
Postponed elections subvert democracy.
Last year established a new record for the rate at which by-election seats are changing hands.
Last year, the Liberal Democrats won the most council by-elections across the UK.
The new multi-party politics is having a noticeable impact on the proportion of seats changing hands and the low share of the vote often needed for victory.
Local by-elections continue to see Reform UK mainly, but not exclusively, progress against both main parties. Volatility abounds, with 16 of 35 seats changing hands.
