Why there are no council elections in Cornwall today

As many people across the country are casting their vote in local elections today (Thursday, May 4) some in Cornwall might be wondering why there are no polling stations here. There is a reason why no ballot papers have dropped through your letterbox.

Cornwall Council last held its elections in 2021 and the council operates on a four-year cycle so the next elections will not be held until 2025. The elections in May 2021 saw the council reduce the number of councillors from 123 to 87.

The voting saw the Conservatives take control of Cornwall Council after winning 47 of the 87 seats available. However, while they won the highest number of seats they only took 37% of the votes cast. The composition of the rest of the council stands at 16 Independent councillors, 14 Liberal Democrats, five Mebyon Kernow, five Labour, and one Green Party councillor.

Political commentators are looking closely at this week's local elections expecting them to be an indicator of what the public thinks about the major political parties and a sign of how people will vote in the next General Election, which is expected to take place towards the end of 2024. Some expect that the Conservatives could take a hit based on the cost of living crisis.

Elections were due to be held on May 25 for Porthleven Town Council and the Porthtowan ward of St Agnes councils, but no nominations were received so a new election will be held on a date to be announced by the returning officer. An uncontested election featuring just one candidate for Looe Town Council's east ward is due to happen on the same date.