Could removing partial elections save �25 million for local Government in the UK

THE TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) is a prominent UK based pressure group, which was founded in 2004, by Matthew Elliott (who later led the Vote Leave campaign).

TaxPayers' Alliance have since become 1 of the most frequently quoted organizations in the British media regarding what they see as:- 'Government waste.'

Within its latest press release the group says that they think local authorities would have saved a total of almost:- �25 million in just 4 years if they had held whole Council Elections instead of electing Councillors in thirds or halves, new research from the TaxPayers' Alliance has revealed.

Under current rules, many:- District, Metropolitan and Unitary Councils can choose how frequently they hold elections. While most (283) elect all Councillors once every 4 years, others opt for elections by:- thirds, or halves, meaning many residents are sent to the polls far more often. New analysis shows that these more frequent elections come at a high and often unjustifiable cost to local taxpayers.

Between:- 2021 and 2024, Councils that were elected by thirds or halves spent substantially more on elections than Councils holding whole Council Elections. Had those Councils instead switched to whole Council Elections, almost �25 million could have been saved per Council on:- staffing, venues, printing, administration and voter communications.

While elections by thirds are often justified on the grounds of continuity and accountability, whole Council Elections provide clearer democratic mandates, reduce voter fatigue and allow Councils to plan over longer periods without the disruption of annual campaigns, all while delivering significant savings.

Jonathan Eida, Researcher of the TaxPayers' Alliance, has stated that:- "At a time when Councils are stretched and cutting vital services, it's extraordinary that millions of pounds are still being spent on unnecessarily frequent local elections. Whole Council Elections arguably offer clearer accountability, reduce voter fatigue and, crucially, save taxpayers a substantial amount of money. Councils need to seriously ask whether the marginal benefits of elections by thirds are worth the very real financial cost being imposed on residents."

Key findings:-

As of 2025, 283 Councils elect Councillors by whole Council Elections, 91 elect by thirds, and 7 elect by halves.
If Councils that were elected by halves or thirds had instead held whole Council Elections between:- 2021 and 2024, they could have saved almost:- �25 million.
Leeds, which elects by thirds, had the highest total election costs over the 4 years, spending over:- �3.1 million across 3 elections.
Croydon, which elects by whole Council Elections, had the highest single election cost, spending:- �1,282,044 in 2022. The cost per Councillor elected was:- �18,315.
Among Councils electing by thirds or halves, Coventry had the highest average cost per Councillor elected, at:- �38,839.
District Councils electing by thirds averaged:- �455,221 per election cycle, compared to:- �201,566 for district Councils holding whole Council Elections.
Metropolitan district Councils electing by thirds averaged:- �1,170,951 per cycle, compared to:- �285,842 for those holding whole elections.
Unitary Councils elected by thirds averaged:- �686,705 per cycle, while those with whole Council Elections averaged:- �379,580.

You can download the full research findings by within a .PDF file by clicking on here.

Sefton set for major electoral shake up in 2026

THE political landscape of Sefton is preparing for its most significant transformation in over 2 decades, as the 2026 Local Elections approach with a complete overhaul of the Borough's Electoral Map.

In a rare:- "all out" election, every 1 of the 66 seats on Sefton Borough Council will be contested on:- Thursday, 7 May 2026. This departs from the usual cycle where only ⅓ of the Council is elected at any 1 time. The move marks the conclusion of a rigorous formal boundary review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, aimed at ensuring:- "electoral equality" so that each Councillor represents a similar number of residents.

Under the Sefton (Electoral Changes) Order 2024, residents in:- Bootle, Crosby, and the central areas of the borough will find themselves voting in wards with entirely new names. While Southport's ward names, including:- Ainsdale, Birkdale, Cambridge, Dukes, Kew, Meols, and Norwood, remain unchanged, the South of the Borough will see a total rebranding of several long standing districts.

New Ward Name Former Ward Name Key areas included...

Great Crosby Victoria Central and South Crosby

Waterloo Church Waterloo and Seaforth

Blundellsands Blundellsands North West Crosby and Brighton-le-Sands

Thornton & Hightown Manor North Crosby, Thornton, Hightown, and rural villages

Bootle West Linacre Seaforth, Linacre, and Bootle

Bootle East Derby Bootle

Litherland Litherland Litherland (with adjusted boundaries)

Ford Ford Ford and Rimrose Valley

Netherton North St Oswald Netherton, Netherton Village, and Old Roan

Netherton South & Orrell Netherton & Orrell Netherton and Orrell

Aintree & Maghull South Molyneux Aintree, South Maghull, Melling, and Waddicar

Lydiate & Maghull West Park Maghull West and Lydiate

Maghull East Sudell Maghull East and Kennessee Green

Formby West Harington Formby and Freshfield

Formby East Ravenmeols Formby, Little Altcar, and Ince Blundell

To return the Council to its normal voting by ⅓ cycle following the 2026 reset, a staggered term system will be implemented. The candidate with the highest number of votes in each ward will serve a 4 year term, the 2nd place candidate a 2 year term, and the 3rd place candidate a 1 year term.

The Labour Party currently maintains a strong majority on the Council, but the 2026 election represents a:- "blank slate" opportunity. While the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have traditionally found their strongest support in the Southport wards, the rise in activity from Reform UK and the Green Party suggests a more unpredictable contest.

With ongoing local debates regarding the Borough's administration and the physical split of Towns like:- Crosby across different boundaries, the 2026 elections will serve as a high stakes test for all political parties seeking to gain a foothold in the newly defined wards.

Would you like me to find out the specific Council seat count for each party currently before this:- "blank slate" election occurs?

More information about the:- 'Local Government Boundary Review of Sefton' can be found on the Sefton Council website.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

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Could removing partial elections save �25 million for local Government in the UK

Sefton set for major electoral shake up in 2026