Why are there no local elections in Stockport this week?
Some voters are heading to the polls on 1 May for this year's local elections.
This is when residents can choose which councillors they want to represent their area, and can have a big impact on town halls up and down the country.
It also offers voters the chance to put their views forward on how things are being run, and what they want to change.
In Stockport there are no local elections in 2025, but votes are taking place in other parts of the country.
Usually, council wards are represented by three councillors, elected on staggered terms. That means there is an election in three years out of every four, and the remaining year is known as a 'fallow year', when no elections take place.
Last year, several elections took place in Stockport, including local elections, the Greater Manchester mayoral election, and the July general election all happening.
In the May 2024 local elections, Stockport Lib Dems came within touching distance of gaining a majority on the council.
Labour lost a seat each in the Offerton and Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme North wards, giving the Lib Dems 31 councillors at the time – one away from full control of the town hall where there are 63 seats in total.
But the political make-up of the council has changed since then due to by-elections and other events.
This saw Conservative Cllr Peter Crossen win a council seat which was held by the Lib Dems in Bramhall South and Woodford, after getting 1,909 votes.
Former independent councillor Aron Thornley also joined the Labour group last August, and two former Labour councillors – David Sedgwick and Holly McCormack – now sit as independents after the aftermath of the 'Trigger me Timbers' WhatsApp group scandal.
There have also been changes to political leadership, with council leader Mark Hunter announcing his intention to step back from steering the Lib Dems and council, and Labour group leader David Meller also moving to backbench role.
It has left the council in a period of change ahead of the next scheduled local elections in Stockport, due to be held in May 2026.
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