By Don Mort, local democracy reporting service
People in Leeds will cast their votes today in local elections which will decide future control of the city council.
Labour is predicted to lose hundreds of council seats around the country as support grows for Reform UK and the Green Party.
Ahead of the election results being counted and declared tomorrow (Friday, May 8), we looked into the possible scenarios for Leeds.
Who currently controls the council and what is the political make-up?
- Prior to this election, Labour was the controlling party, holding 56 of the city’s 99 council seats. The Conservatives were the second biggest group, with 13.
How many seats are being contested in this election?
- In Leeds, seats in 33 wards – a third of the council – are subject to a local election in three out of every four years. This time, a total of 36 seats are up for election due to some councillors retiring.
Could political control change following the May 7 vote?
- Only if Labour ends up with fewer than 50 per cent of the overall seats, the council would be classed as being under “no overall control”.
Reform has seen a surge in popularity – could they take control of Leeds City Council?
- Not outright. Even if the party reaches a maximum of 38 seats, that’s still 12 short of an overall majority. Reform already has two councillors representing Pudsey and Morley respectively.
If the council goes to no overall control, what happens next?
- Negotiations would be launched between the city’s political groups on the formation of a new council, selection of a council leader and make-up of the executive board, the council’s main decision-making body.
What are the potential outcomes if no party has an overall majority?
- The party which retains the most councillors could seek to form a minority administration. Or parties could form a coalition with a mandate to run the council. It is expected that an agreement would be reached ahead of the next full council meeting.
A council spokesperson said: “Following the election results being declared on May 8, depending on the new political composition of Leeds City Council, discussions and negotiations between councillors would take place in the run up to the annual council meeting on May 20, where arrangements for the new municipal year will be confirmed.”
Candidates’ profiles
To see the profiles and election statements of candidates standing in each ward in West Leeds, visit the following links:
- Armley Ward candidates.
- Bramley & Stanningley candidates.
- Calverley & Farsley candidates.
- Farnley & Wortley candidates.
- Horsforth ward candidates.
- Kirkstall Ward candidates.
- Pudsey Ward candidates.
Party statements
The major parties in Leeds have also provided statements to help people decide who to vote for.
- Conservative Party.
- Green Party.
- Labour Party.
- Liberal Democrats.
- Reform UK.
- Social Democratic Party (SDP).
- Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).
Worth noting some wards have independent candidates standing, too.
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