England gears up for key local elections

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Voters across various regions of England will vote on Thursday in crucial local elections, marking the final electoral test before the forthcoming general elections.

Amidst the electoral landscape, 107 local authorities in England will be hosting these significant polls, encompassing the selection of councilors and mayors.

Additionally, voters will cast their ballots to elect police and crime commissioners, a pivotal role responsible for law enforcement oversight, across England and Wales.

No elections will take place in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The electoral spotlight shines particularly bright on London, where voters will determine the mayor of London and members of the London Assembly.

Alongside London's mayoral race, 10 mayors outside the capital will be elected, further diversifying the electoral agenda.

Notably, the by-election in Blackpool South holds significance, following the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton.

This contest will determine the constituency's new representative in the Parliament, accentuating the broader implications of political shifts within the region.

Across England and Wales, 37 police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be chosen, underlining the crucial role of public safety and law enforcement in the electoral discourse.

Expectations loom over the electoral fate of parties, with projections indicating potential losses for Rishi Sunak's party, trailing 20 points behind Labour in recent polls.

Moreover, the Conservative Party has grappled with notable by-election defeats, contributing to a climate of uncertainty and anticipation surrounding the election outcomes.

In the political arena of London, incumbent Sadiq Khan seeks reelection for a third term as mayor, while elections to the London Assembly, with 25 seats at stake, add further layers of electoral complexity.

Presently, Labour maintains majority control in 45 of the 107 councils, followed by the Conservatives with control in 18, and the Liberal Democrats with 10.

Thirty-four councils operate under no overall control.