The local elections in England resulted in substantial losses for the Conservative Party, which lost nearly half of its councillors. However, the Tories celebrated the re-election of Lord Ben Houchen as Tees Valley Mayor, a key victory noted by the now-former Prime Minister Boris Johnson before he resigned as a Member of Parliament. Meanwhile, Labour achieved significant wins, including a major victory in North Yorkshire where David Skaith defeated Conservative Keane Duncan, and gains in six other councils.

The electoral outcomes demonstrated shifts in voter sentiment ahead of the general national election. Labour highlighted the reduced majority for Lord Houchen as indicative of potential future victories in the Tees Valley region.

In London, initial results indicated challenges for Mayor Sadiq Khan, particularly concerning the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). The Conservatives gained control in areas like Hillingdon and Wandsworth. The dissatisfaction with Ulez was evident, impacting the Labour party’s performance in these boroughs, despite Khan leading in the mayoral polls.

Additionally, the East Midlands witnessed Labour’s Claire Ward winning the mayoral election against Conservative Ben Bradley. The win was notable as it took place in a region filled with pivotal “red wall” constituencies. Voter turnout was relatively low at 27.6%, indicating potential issues with public engagement in the electoral process.

The results from these local elections, including mayoral contests and council seats, not only reshape local governance but have broader implications for the upcoming general election, reflecting the shifting political landscape in the UK.