Local elections 7 May 2026

If you want to serve as a councillor, you’ll need to stand as a candidate and be elected at a local council election.  

You can choose to represent a political party or stand independently. 

Qualifications to stand as a councillor

To stand as a candidate in a local government election in England, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, or a qualifying citizen of any EU member state.

You must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

1. You are, and will remain, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area from the day of your nomination onwards.
2. You have occupied, as owner or tenant, any land or premises in the local authority area for the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election
3. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to nomination and election day has been in the local authority area.
4. You have lived in the local authority area for the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

Disqualifications

Certain people are disqualified from standing for election to a local authority in England. You cannot be a candidate if, at the time of your nomination and on polling day:

• You are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees).
• You hold a politically restricted post.
• You are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
• You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day.
• Are subject to any relevant notification requirements, or a relevant order, in respect of a sexual offence
• You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (for corrupt or illegal electoral practices or offences relating to donations).

Additionally, a person may be disqualified if they have been barred from standing for election following a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (formerly the Adjudication Panel for England).

Standing as a candidate

Standing as a Political Party Candidate

To stand for a political party, you need to be a member of that party’s local group. Contact the local political party branch for information on how to join and how they select their election candidates. 

Standing as an Independent Candidate

If you prefer to stand on your own, you can run as an independent candidate. Guidance is available from the Local Government Association (LGA) Independent Group. 

You can view more information on the roles, responsibilities and qualifications of a councillor on the Local Government Association website. 

Nomination period

To formally stand as a candidate, you must submit a completed nomination paper to the Returning Officer during the election’s nomination period. You will need two people, one to propose your nomination and the other to second your nomination. 

Download a nomination pack

2026 Hounslow Council Elections – Prospective Candidates and Agents Briefing

The Returning Officer will be providing a briefing for anyone interested in standing as a candidate or acting as an agent for the 2026 Hounslow Council elections.  The briefing will provide key information on: 

• How to complete your nomination papers 
• The nomination process 
• The election timetable  
• The code of conduct 
• Candidate spending  

To attend, please complete this short form to register your interest.

Further guidance for candidates and agents is also available on the Electoral Commission website