What to look for in May’s local elections: Tories on defensive and Reform hoping for gains

Contest for the 23 English local authorities is wide open with Labour, Tories and Reform almost tied in national pollsThe English local council elections on 1 May are a big test for the three parties almost tied in the national polls: Labour, Reform and the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats will also be hoping to do well in areas where they are strong and have a big aim of displacing the Tories as the second largest party in local government.As the polls suggest, the contest is wide open. The