The Conservative Party is expected to lose hundreds of seats in the 2024 local elections, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats making significant gains, according to expert projections.
The Conservative Party is projected to lose over 400 seats in the local elections scheduled for May 2, 2024, while Labour is expected to gain between 200 and 250 seats. The Liberal Democrats might win about 100 seats, and the Greens could add around 30 to their tally. These predictions were made by polling expert Lord Hayward.
The elections are taking place across 107 local authorities in England, with more than 2,650 seats being contested. Participation rates among the parties are high, with the Conservatives contesting in 95% of the races, followed by Labour at 91%, the Liberal Democrats at 68%, and the Greens at 62%. The Reform Party is contesting in 12% of the seats.
The Workers Party of Britain, led by George Galloway, is also participating with 31 candidates. This comes following the party’s success in the recent Rochdale parliamentary by-election.
The UK political landscape is currently witnessing calls for progressive realignment. The late Frank Field, a former Labour MP, was a proponent of such changes, advocating for a closer relationship with the Liberal Democrats to address the limitations of British progressive politics. His ideas are especially relevant as the Liberal Democrats experience a resurgence in popularity.
On the issue of local governance, the role of elected mayors has been highlighted as a step towards decentralization in the UK. Despite the positive changes seen in regions like Greater Manchester and London, the overall power structure in the UK remains highly centralized. This centralization has been criticized for its impact on local autonomy and the effectiveness of local governance. Calls for greater decentralization and devolution reflect a desire for more localized control and enhanced civic participation across England.
