Local government elections take place in the UK on 4 May 2023 – BNOs can register to vote
Local government elections take place at least every four years and it is an opportunity to exercise your democratic right and ensure that you have a say on the local issues that matter to you.
On 4 May, there will be elections at 230 councils across England with more than 8,000 seats to be decided. Four mayoral elections will also be held: in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough. Find out whether elections are taking place in your area here.
Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) status living in the UK are eligible to vote, but must register to do so by midnight on 17 April. You can do so on the Electoral Commission website.
BNO visa holders who do not hold BNO status are not eligible to vote. They must wait until they become British citizens.
For the first time, voters in England will need to show voter ID to vote at polling stations – remember to bring this when you vote.
Responsibilities of local government
Local government is mostly responsible for functions such as social care, schools, libraries, housing and planning and waste collection, as well as services such as licensing, business support, registrar services and pest control. The representatives you elect will decide on the overall direction of priorities for the next term. More details can be found here.
Local government is also responsible for organising English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and destitution support for those who need it. It is up to each local authority to decide what assistance can be provided to BNO visa holders who require support to learn English or improve their English language ability. Funding of up to £850 per adult from the UK Government is available to support access to English language classes for BNO visa holders.
Responsibility for schools
Local government has responsibility for state schools in their area. They hold the statutory duty to provide sufficient school places. Schools are not permitted to refuse any children a place on the grounds of their nationality or immigration status. They are responsible for distribution and monitoring of funding for the schools, and the co-ordination of admissions, and they are the direct employers of teachers and staff for most state schools in their area.
Choose your councillors
Given the areas of responsibility of councils, local councillors in the UK have greater power than district councillors in Hong Kong. There are roughly 20,000 local councillors in England. The councillor’s role centres around community leadership and engagement, with responsibilities including:
Representing the ward for which they are elected
Decision-making - developing and reviewing council policy (areas of responsibility are listed previously)
Scrutinising decisions taken by the councillors on the executive or cabinet regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties
Hong Kongers’ votes matter
The average total turnout at the 2022 local government elections was just 33.6% of the electorate. Given that over 150,000 BNO visas were issued in the first two years of the scheme, the voice of Hong Kongers in the upcoming local elections will be an important one to listen to for all of the political parties.