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On Thursday 2 May 2024, voters across England and Wales will head to the polls in a major set of local and mayoral elections. The highest-profile contests will be the election of 10 influential\u202fmetro mayors \u2013 including in Greater London and across the north and the midlands. Together these leaders will be responsible for over \xa325bn of public spending and will play a vital role in shaping the fortunes of the places they represent.\n\nThousands of councillors in over 100 local areas across England are also up for election, with the successful candidates taking responsibility for key public services at a time of acute financial pressures across local government. Voters will also elect 37\u202fpolice and crime commissioners and the 25 members of the\u202fLondon Assembly.\n\nThese elections are far more important than just providing a straw in the wind for the general election to come. To discuss why these elections matter and what to expect, the Institute for Government hosted a public event with expert panellists including: \n\nSarah Calkin, Editor of the Local Government Chronicle \nSir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University and Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research\nAkash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government\n\nThe event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government.