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2021 elections: A really simple guide

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A bumper crop of elections will be held across England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday 6 May.

About 48 million people can vote to elect almost 5,000 to positions of power.

Scotland and Wales parliamentary elections

Members of two of the UK's parliaments - Holyrood in Scotland and the Senedd in Wales - will be chosen by voters in those nations.

These parliaments make decisions in key areas, including:

  • health
  • housing
  • education

Local elections

There will also be voting in 143 local council authorities in England, with about 4,650 council seats up for grabs.

Councillors are in charge of many services - from bin collections to social care, sports facilities and libraries.

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London

Londoners will elect 25 members of the London Assembly - and a mayor.

The London mayor decides how much money to spend and priorities in some key areas.

For example, the mayor can set bus and Tube fares and decide targets for the number of affordable homes.

London Assembly Members examine the mayor's decisions.

Mayors

There will also be mayoral elections in:

  • Bristol
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
  • Doncaster
  • Greater Manchester
  • Liverpool
  • Liverpool City Region
  • North Tyneside
  • Salford
  • Tees Valley
  • West Midlands
  • West of England
  • West Yorkshire

Police and crime commissioners

There will be elections in England and Wales for police and crime commissioners.

They set the budget and priorities for police in their area.

MPs

There will also be a by-election to pick who represents Hartlepool in the Westminster Parliament after the previous MP resigned.

A modern browser with JavaScript and a stable internet connection is required to view this interactive. More information about these elections

Note: This lookup covers national elections in Scotland and Wales, the Hartlepool by-election, as well as council and mayoral elections in England and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections in England and Wales. There may be parish council elections or council by-elections where you are. Official candidate lists may be updated until after the close of nominations for each individual election - 1 April for Scotland and London, 9 April for Wales, English councils, mayors, PCCs and the Hartlepool by-election. Check your local council website for full details. Last updated: April 6, 2021, 14:07 GMT

What's at stake?

Coronavirus is the most important issue to voters, according to a survey by the University of Essex.

But there are many other issues:

Who can vote?

To vote in the Holyrood and Senedd elections you must be 16 or over on the day of the election.

Voters in other elections must be over 18.

All voters must be:

People from another country legally living in Scotland and Wales can vote.

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image captionCouncils are responsible for many services that effect everyday lives, including bin collections.

How do I vote and when do I need to register?

There are three ways to vote:

  • in person at a polling station (often in places such as schools and community centres)
  • by postal vote
  • by nominating someone to vote for you (a proxy vote)

The deadline to register to vote is Monday 19 April.

The deadline to register for a postal vote is:

  • 17:00 on 20 April in England and Wales
  • 17:00 on 6 April in Scotland

The deadline to register for a proxy vote is 17:00 on 27 April.

You can register to vote online.

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image captionMany different types of buildings - including church halls - are used as polling stations on election day

How will coronavirus affect voting?

Polling stations need to make voting Covid-secure.

Social distancing will be in place.

Voters are encouraged to bring their own pens or pencils - and those who have been shielding to vote by post.

But an all-postal ballot has been ruled out as too difficult to organise.

Because of social distancing, counting votes is expected to take longer and could go into the weekend.

How are the winners chosen?

Scotland, Wales and London Assembly

  • People have two votes - one to choose who represents the constituency, and one to choose which party represents their wider region

Mayors and police and crime commissioners

  • Voters select a first and second preference - if no candidate receives 50% of first-preference choices, the top two go into a run-off
  • The second preferences of voters whose favoured candidates have been eliminated are then taken into account

English councils

  • Voters have one vote for each available seat in their area (a ward or division)
  • In most cases, that means one vote - but large wards may have multiple seats
  • Whoever receives the most votes wins the seat
  • If one party wins more than half the council seats, they have control of the council
  • If no party has a majority, parties will often join forces (known as a coalition)

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