- Local elections are scheduled for May 7 across 136 councils in England, alongside contests for six mayoral positions in areas including Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Watford.
- Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on May 7, with initial results expected within hours and final declarations by the evening of May 9; mayoral election results are anticipated throughout May 8.
- These elections represent the largest set of local contests in England for three years and are considered a significant test for all political parties following the general election in July 2024.
- Almost 25,000 candidates are vying for over 5,000 seats, with Reform UK fielding nearly 4,800 candidates, a number close to Labour's and exceeding the Conservatives'.
- Labour is defending approximately 2,500 of the contested seats, primarily in London and Metropolitan boroughs, while the Conservatives are defending 1,236 seats, the Liberal Democrats 706, and the Greens 194.
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