Local elections 2024: Labour wins in Adur, Worthing, and Crawley; still no overall controller of Hastings

Rishi Sunak could face a leadership challenge after disastrous results for his party. Find out more here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8xvvvg

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said:  “The results have begun to come in overnight and already some big movement has happened. Against the backdrop of a steady Conservative decline since 2019, the results so far indicate the trend will not be bucked this year. 

“Initial results look good for Labour, and there are no huge surprises so far.  Labour will be pleased with early wins for Labour in Hartlepool, Rushmoor (where the party has won a majority for the first time ever), Thurrock and Redditch. We also saw a Conservative loss to No Overall Control in North East Lincolnshire. 

“The narrative developing so far is one of large Conservative losses, although they have managed to hold on in some cases where they had small majorities, such as the key test of Harlow in the East of England. However, this does not necessarily translate directly to any other major party winning their seats, and as always the local picture is important for understanding any specific result. 

“We know however that local elections are a long haul and the picture may change in the coming hours and days. And while it will be tempting to talk about how these local election results influence the national election, we must remember that local elections are not a warm-up act for general elections - they are crucial chapters in our democracy. These results will determine the leaders who will serve our communities and make the decisions that directly impact our lives.”

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Last year the government brought in legislation which requires voters to show photo identification when voting at polling stations. This means that you must bring photo ID with you to vote in today’s Police and Crime Commissioner election and by-elections.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

- UK, EEA or Commonwealth passport;

- UK or EEA driving licence (including a provisional licence);

- Older person’s or disabled person’s bus pass;

- EEA national identity card;

- A biometric immigration document;

- Identity card with the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card);

- Blue Badge;

- Voter Authority Certificate (VAC);

- Expired ID will still be accepted if the photograph remains a good likeness of the voter.

Brighton City Council said: “If you have a postal vote that you’ve not returned to us, you can hand your completed postal voting pack in to any polling station in the city on polling day by 10pm at the latest.

“If you hand in your postal vote to a polling station or Hove Town Hall, you will also be required to complete a Postal Vote Return Form.

“For more information, please visit the elections pages on our website.”

Crawley is estimated to be the first local authority to have the results revealed. This is likely to be at 2.30pm.

Next up, around 3pm, is expected to be Hastings.

Adur’s results are expected at 4pm, with Worthing following an hour later.

Voters for the by-elections in Brighton will not be counted until Sunday, with the results expected by 4.30pm. The same is true for the Sussex Police and Crime Commission election.

This schedule is subject to change.

Hello and welcome to our local elections live blog.

Elections are taking place today (Thursday, May 2) in Adur and Worthing, Crawley and Hastings, whilst there are by-elections in Kemptown and Queen’s Park in Brighton. People across the county also have their chance to pick who they want to be the next Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.

Polls are open until 10pm