Why aren’t there more local elections in Birmingham today?

Voters in England and Wales will head to the polls today, Thursday 2 May, to elect new councillors, mayors and police commissioners in their local areas. In what will be a busy day in the West Midlands, there are local council elections in the Black Country, Solihull and parts of Staffordshire – but not in Birmingham.

Birmingham residents will instead vote in a hotly contested mayoral election, where incumbent Mayor Andy Street (Conservative) faces a challenge from Richard Parker (Labour), hoping to prevent Mr Street from securing a third term. Meanwhile, Simon Foster will be hoping for another term as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the region after a failed attempt by Mr Street to scrap the PCC role.

More than 2,500 council seats will be up for grabs in just over 100 local authorities in England, but there are no council elections in Birmingham this year. This is due to the rules on how often local elections are held in Birmingham.

READ MORE: Full list of 2024 West Midlands local elections and candidates as voters ready to head to the polls

Elections for Birmingham City Council are held every four years – a change from the system that existed before 2018, where elections were held three out of four years, with a third of the council elected each time. The last election was held on 5 May 2022, with all 101 council seats up for grabs.

The next city-wide election, which could decide which political party ends up in control of Birmingham City Council, is due to take place in 2026. But a series of by-elections to come could provide some clues about the next council of the city. it could look like in the wake of the Labour-led local authority crisis.

A by-election has been called in Bournbrook and Selly Park, south of the city centre, following the departure of Brigid Jones, former cabinet member for finance at Labour-led Birmingham City Council. Those living in the ward will today be able to vote for a new councilor and take part in the West Midlands Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

A separate by-election will be held later this month in Kingstanding on May 30 following the resignation of councilor Rick Payne.