Local Elections Begin in the UK, Over a Dozen Candidates of Nepali Origin in the Race

24 Baishakh, London – On Thursday, May 7, local elections have commenced in three of the United Kingdom’s four nations: England, Scotland, and Wales. Voting is underway for a total of 5,014 seats across 136 different local councils. Through this election, voters in Scotland and Wales will select representatives for their national parliaments, while in England, councillors and mayors will be elected in 30 councils. Additionally, mayoral elections are being held in six English local authorities, including Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Watford. Polling started at 7 a.m. and will continue until 10 p.m. Majority of the results are expected throughout Friday. This election is widely viewed as a barometer of public opinion on current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration.

Starmer, who came into power with high expectations, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, has seen his popularity decline recently. A series of policy reversals, economic challenges, and unmet public expectations have weakened his image. While local elections typically focus on issues like roads, sanitation, and community services, this election carries significant implications for national politics. Voters will use this opportunity to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the government. Analysts warn that the Labour Party risks losing a substantial number of seats, potentially calling Starmer’s leadership into question. Meanwhile, the rise of alternative parties such as Reform UK on the right and the Green Party has continued to erode the traditional two-party dominance in the UK.

This local election also features several candidates of Nepali origin. According to reports, at least a dozen candidates with Nepali heritage are contesting under the Conservative Party. Candidates of Nepali origin are also running for Labour, Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and You Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, bringing the total to more than fifteen. Among these candidates, some interesting coincidences appear: in certain boroughs, Nepali couples have stood for council positions, while in others, candidates of Nepali origin are competing against each other.

For instance, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, former mayor Jeet Ranabhat is contesting from the Plumstead and Glyndon ward, while his wife, Gomaia Gurung, is standing in the Abbey Wood ward. Both represent the Labour Party. Narendra Kandel from the You Party, which is supported by Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, is also a candidate in Plumstead and Glyndon ward. Similarly, in Aldershot’s Wellington ward, Dr. Vishal Gurung runs for the Conservative Party, while Uttar Bahadur Gurung is the Labour candidate. Each of these wards elects three councillors, so technically both Nepali-origin candidates could be elected; however, vote splitting might lead to one winning and the other losing.

Former Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivji Shrestha is also contesting from the Brighton Hill ward in Basingstoke for the Labour Party. Gyan Prasad Gurung is a Conservative candidate in Park South, Swindon, while Pratiksha Gurung contests for Labour in the Battle ward, Reading. Indrahang Limbu is running as a Conservative candidate in Feltham.