On May 1st, millions of people in England will head to the polls.

In Labour’s first electoral test since their thin, brittle, but decisive, sweep to power in the 2024 General Election, the results across England will be a temperature check on how effectively Labour are delivering on their promise of change.

But deeper than that, these Local Elections arrive during of Reform’s surging popularity, increasing hostility to progressive alliances within the parties, declining voter appetite in tactical voting and in voting in general, and deep structural crises in local councils.

Up and down the country, councils are broke or breaking down, and with them the first line of defence of our democracy – and in the fight against the far-right.

We can’t turn our backs on local government. And we won’t.

Members can join us on Wednesday May 7th for a discussion with our Director Neal, other Compass members, and guest speakers to analyse the results, share what happened in local elections near you, and discuss what’s next for the parties, our councils, and the country.