Local elections 2021 digest — Tue 20 April — Sir Keir Starmer’s moment and windmill polling stations
As we draw closer to the May 6 polls there’s been an increase in big-hitters hitting the campaign trail.
This gives the people, and indeed local journalists, the opportunity to quiz those at Westminster, Cardiff Bay, Holyrood or indeed other seats of power out in the open.
It also leads to surprising moments, and we’ve definitely had the 2021 local elections moment so far…
On BehindLocalNews we’re going to be rounding up some of the great work being done by local journalists across print, digital, TV, radio, social media, hyperlocals and wherever else you find your local coverage of the elections.
‘Get out of my pub!’
Sir Keir Starmer has been working hard to build his image, and it probably wasn’t on the genteel streets of Bath where the Labour leader expected his biggest test so far.
Local Democracy Reporter Stephen Sumner was following the Labour leader’s walkabout as he came down to support West of England metro mayor candidate Dan Norris.
Sir Keir had popped into The Raven in Queen Street when he was confronted by landlord Rod Humphries who had a very different view on lockdowns.
Voting in a windmill?
Up in the North East and LDR Herbert Soden took readers through some of the more unusual polling stations.
Castles, windmills and pubs are all to welcome voters in May for the elections across County Durham and the rest of the North East.
And candidate info near you
Neighbourhood platform InYourArea has announced a partnership with crowdsourcing website Democracy Club.
Candidate information for elections up and down the country is being made available on the InYourArea site and app, and across Reach titles up and down England, Scotland and Wales.
Entering a postcode means you can see candidates for all elections near you and will feature full results once they are announced.
A secondary tool allows voters to find their nearest polling station in the run up to election day.
Spotted a good local election story? Have some reporting that your newsroom wants to shout about? Please drop an email to ed.walker@reachplc.com to be included in the Local Elections round-up. The story can be about any election taking place on May 6. We’ll be back next week with more Elections 2021 news!
