Keir Starmer faces four major tests across England this week as local elections draw nearer

The elections are stretching from Kent to Lincolnshire, with all parties looking to make last-minute gains ahead of May 7.

GB News has taken a look at who is running and what it could mean for each of the parties across England.

Axholme Central (North Lincolnshire)

There is a two-part showdown in North Lincolnshire.

The Conservatives wil be defending Axholme Central, around 10 miles east of Scunthorpe, following the death of long-serving councillor David Robinson.

Mr Robinson was first elected to North Lincolnshire Council in 2011, and was re-elected in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Rob Waltham, led the tributes, saying: "David was a respected colleague who brought experience, integrity and a deep understanding of his ward to his work.

"He was widely regarded for his intellect and thoughtfulness and for his ability to scrutinise complex issues, form clear arguments and represent residents with diligence and care. He brought warmth, good humour and humanity to his work, alongside a strong sense of duty and public service.

“His best work was undoubtedly championing and fighting for the rights of thousands of patients through health scrutiny. His passion for Epworth and the surrounding towns and villages was clear for all to see.

"He didn’t just believe in the importance of public service at a community level, he delivered it."

The Tories have controlled the local authority since 2011, when they took control back from Labour, who had held it since 2007.

The Westminster constituency of Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme constituency was won in 2024 by Labour's Lee Pitcher, who took the newly0created seat with a 2,311 majority over Tory candidate and former Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN AXHOLME CENTRAL:

• Alex Ellis (Green Party)
• Gerrad Farmer (Reform UK)
• Caroline Ann Finch (Conservative and Unionist Party)
• Matthew Rawcliffe (Labour)
• Michael David Shaw (Liberal Democrat)

Brumby (North Lincolnshire)

Just along the M180, in the shadows of the impenetrable British Steel works in Scunthorpe, there is a by-election in Brumby with Labour looking to hold onto the ward.

The by-election was called after the death of long-serving councillor and former Mayor of North Lincolnshire Sue Armitage.

Paying tribute to her, a spokesman from Lincolnshire Labour said: "Sue served the Brumby Ward with dedication and distinction since 2007. Her commitment to the community was unwavering, and her contributions will be remembered for years to come.

"She was not only a respected councillor but also a good friend and colleague to many. Sue’s legacy is one of service, leadership, and care for others."

At Westminister, Labour's Nic Dakin retook the corresponding Scunthorpe seat in 2024 with a majority of 3,542, having lost it in 2019 to Conservative Holly Mumby-Croft.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDTATES STANDING IN BRUMBY:

• Ellen Dew (Reform UK)
• Sam Peter Hewson (Green Party)
• Alan Kelly (Liberal Democrats)
• Joanne Louise Saunby (Conservative and Unionist Party)
• Thomas William Smith (Labour Party)

Halstead, Knockholt & Badgers Mount (Sevenoaks)

Down in Kent, there is a Tory defence on Sevenoaks District Council after the death of Tory Councillor Gary Williamson.

A butcher by trade, Mr Williamson had represented the Halstead, Knockholt & Badgers Mount ward for more than 25 years, having served as the chairman of the Development Management Committee.

Leader of Sevenoaks District Council and fellow Tory councillor Kevin Maskell, said: "Gary was a true champion of his local community, was highly respected and will be remembered for his hard work.

"He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and two children."

The Tories currently run SDC as a minority administration, with 22 seats out of 54. In 2023, they won 33 of those seats, but last year a large number of Tories defected to form the "West Kent Independents" group.

Sevenoaks is represented in Westminster by Tory frontbencher and Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott, who won the seat in 2024 with a majority of 5,440.

Mrs Trott paid tribute to Mr Williamson, saying: "Gary was a brilliant representative for the area where he lived his entire life and cared passionately about his community.

"When I visited St Katherine’s Primary C of E School in Knockholt a few years ago, Gary joined me and spoke proudly of his own school days there, a small moment that said so much about his connection to the place and its people."

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN HALSTEAD, KNOCKHOLT & BADGERS MOUNT:

• Stephen John Maines (Liberal Democrat)
• Tony Marshall (Conservative and Unionist Party)
• George Pender (Reform UK)
• Robert Edward Royston (Green Party)

Stanford (Vale of the White Horse)

Last but not least, Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats will be looking to hold on to the Stanford ward on the Vale of White Horse Council in Oxfordshire.

The ward includes the parishes of Hatford, Shellingford, Stanford-in-the-Vale and Woolstone. It also features the Uffington White Horse of the council's name.

Recognised by historians as the oldest and most distinctive hill-figure in Great Britain, it featured on the cover of XTC's fifth album English Settlement and on the back cover of In Utero, the final album by grunge legends Nirvana.

The Vale of White Horse District Council is led by the local Lib Dem group, who currently have 31 out of 38 councillors.

In the Commons, Lib Dem Olly Glover won the newly-created Didcot and Wantage constituency, beating Tory David Johnston with a majority of 6,233 votes.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN STANFORD:

• Adrian Vincent Roland Bettridge (Liberal Democrat)
• Rob Blundell (Labour)
• Lee Evans (Conservative and Unionist Party)
• Sarah von Simson (Reform UK)
• Jacob Joseph Yung (Green Party)

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter