ABSTRACT
Local elections in Britain are valuable indicators of the state of public opinion, have important effects on the morale ofparty workers and determine political control of local authorities. For these reasons the annual rounds of local elections attract increasing attention in the media, but interpretation of the results is complicated by the fact that the various authorities have different election cycles. Indeed, even keeping track of election cycles is currently not an easy task as piecemeal changes are being made to the structure of local government in England. A summary of the different types of authority that now make up the British local government system and their electoral cycles is as follows:
England Counties (34) All members are elected every four years. Elections were held in 1997 (on the same day as the general election) and the next round of elections is due in 2001. Metropolitan Boroughs (36) One-third of members are elected annually except in those years when there are county elections. Next elections are due in 1998. Shire Districts with 'annual' elections (88) Approximately one-third of members are elected annually except in those years when there are county elections. Next elections are due in 1998. Shire Districts with 'all in' elections (150) All members are elected every four years mid-way between county elections. Next elections are due in 1999. London Boroughs (32) All members are elected in another four-year cycle. Next elections are due in 1998. Unitary Authorities (46) 'Shadow' authorities were elected in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The subsequent election cycle varies.
