Donatienne Ruy, Heather A. Conley
The United Kingdom on May 6 will hold local and regional elections covering over 5,000 seats, including local councils, mayors, and national elections for the devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland’s assembly elections are scheduled for 2022). This high number includes some elections that were rescheduled from 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the United Kingdom’s first trip to the ballot box since its full departure from the European Union and will be a barometer for: (1) the ruling Conservatives’ (and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s) popularity; (2) the electoral recovery of the opposition Labour Party; and (3) the extent of fragmentation in the Union.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/uk-local-elections-will-have-national-consequences
