- Reform UK and Labour are tied at 25% in national voting intention polls ahead of next week's local elections, leaving the Conservatives behind at 21%.
- The local elections will decide 1,641 council seats and six mayoral positions, with the Conservatives currently holding the majority of seats being contested (996).
- While national polls don't fully reflect local election outcomes, they offer insights into current political sentiment.
- Reform UK, holding no current seats, stands to gain significantly, with predictions of winning between 400-450 seats.
- A parliamentary by-election will also be held in Runcorn and Helsby, testing the Labour government's popularity for the first time since their 2024 general election win.
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