What are the local elections and why should I care? |

On 2nd May, Bristol goes to the polls. But what are we actually voting for and why should you even care?
We’ll be voting for 70 councillors to represent us and run the city. Unlike last time in 2021, we won't be electing a mayor to run the show, because we voted in a referendum two years ago to sack that system off.
This means the councillors you’re voting for will have more power.
But what does the council actually do? The council isn’t just responsible for collecting your bins and handing out parking fines.
15 years of austerity have pushed local councils to the brink of bankruptcy, but local authorities still have budgets of 100s of millions of pounds a year and run a range of services across the city, from schools to social care and public transport to parks.
Usually, turnout at local elections is much lower than at general elections, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t super important. From making big changes like the Clean Air Zone, whether to spend millions of pounds on big projects like refurbishing Bristol Beacon or how many affordable homes get built, who’s in power really does matter.
Throughout April, we’ll be grilling the candidates, cutting through any bullsh#!t and explaining what’s at stake at the election. Check out our website for the full lowdown: thebristolcable.org
Oh and don't forget to register to vote or you won’t get a say at all!
Join us today!
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Read our election guide
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