The 2024 Preston City Council election took place on 2 May 2024 to elect members of Preston City Council in Lancashire, England. This was on the same day as other local elections across England, and Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner election.
As is typical for Preston's council elections, sixteen seats of the forty-eight total were contested. Labour have had majority control of the council for most of the council's existence, including from 2011 following a period of no overall control. Labour retained their control with a comfortable majority at this election. However, the Liberal Democrats enjoyed a successful election, nearly doubling their seat count after taking several seats from the Conservatives and becoming the main opposition in Preston City Council. In addition, in a shock result the Liberal Democrats took a seat from Labour in the Lea and Larches ward, unseating then-cabinet member for health and wellbeing (and acting county council Labour opposition group leader) Jennifer Mein by a mere 13 votes following a recount.
The majority of contested seats were fought only by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats; however in five wards, independent runners or the parties Reform UK and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition also stood although none of these were successful in gaining a seat. Unlike last year, the Green Party did not stand in any seats.
Several wards recorded relatively high numbers of rejected ballots.
Following the election the leader of the Preston Conservatives Sue Whittam announced her resignation as leader due to her appointment as Deputy Mayor.
Election results
Ward results The Statements of Persons Nominated was released by Preston Council on 8 April 2024 following the close of nominations. The results were announced a day after the election. Incumbent councillors that stood for re-election are marked with an asterisk (*).
Ashton Ward
Brookfield Ward
Cadley Ward
City Centre Ward
Deepdale Ward
Fishwick and Frenchwood Ward
Garrison Ward
Greyfriars Ward
Ingol and Cottam Ward
Lea and Larches Ward
Plungington Ward
Preston Rural East Ward
Preston Rural North Ward
Ribbleton Ward
Sharoe Green Ward
St. Matthews Ward
By-elections
Ashton
Rejected ballots Several wards recorded relatively high numbers of rejected ballots at the 2024 election. Local outlet Blog Preston reported that some spoiled ballot papers in Preston carried the message "No Ceasefire, No Vote", including in Deepdale and Fishwick & Frenchwood. The slogan was also used in wider political campaigning in 2024 for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Gaza War, including a conference held in Blackburn before the local elections. However, the official results published by Preston City Council recorded only the number of rejected ballots by ward and did not state why any ballot was rejected.
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