Local elections in Reading are happening for the first time in two years and could be one of the most competitive contests for the borough in years. The ruling Labour Party is defending 10 seats, and this is the first local vote since the Labour government was elected in July 2024.
The council currently has 32 Labour councillors, eight Green Party, three Conservatives, three Liberal Democrats, councillor Clarence Mitchell (Reform UK, Emmer Green) and councillor Sarah Hacker (Independent, Battle).
See every candidate and their bios in the interactive graphic below - just select your ward from the drop-down. The graphic will be updated as photographs and biographies are provided.
New faces are guaranteed: councillors Hacker, Jo Lovelock (Labour, Norcot), Deborah Edwards (Labour, Southcote) and Sam Juthani (Labour, Caversham Heights) have all stood down.
Cllr Hacker's retirement also guarantees political change. She was elected as a Labour councillor at the all-out elections in 2022 but was suspended from the party in September 2023.
In-person voting is on Thursday 7 May, 7am to 10pm at your polling station.
If you are a candidate and do not feature here, email james.aldridge@newsquest.co.uk.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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