Standing as a candidate

Whole Council and Parish elections are taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026. Candidate and Agent briefings will be held at St Helens Town Hall on Monday 16 March 2026 at 5:30pm and Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 10:30am.

How do I become a councillor?

Whole Council Elections

Councillors represent the residents of St Helens. They are elected to become a member of the council when whole council elections are held. This means that on 7 May 2026 all 48 seats across the 18 wards become vacant and new councillors are elected for four years. 

Councillors work for the whole community, but they have a responsibility to champion the needs of all the constituents in their ward. Councillors must follow a code of conduct to ensure high standards in the way they go about their duties.

If you wish to stand for election in the Whole Council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026 further information on the qualifications to stand can be found in the Candidates and Agents guidance on the electoral commission website.

If you wish to register an interest to stand as a candidate please email your details to elections@sthelens.gov.uk

Parish Council Elections

There are 7 Parish Councils within the St Helens Borough, Billinge Chapel End, Bold, Eccleston, Rainford, Rainhill, Seneley Green and Windle. Please see the website of each parish council or contact the Parish clerk for details of local parish Councillors.

• Billinge Chapel End
• Bold
• Eccleston
• Rainford
• Rainhill
• Seneley Green
• Windle

If you wish to stand for election in the Parish Council election on Thursday 7 May 2026, further information on the qualifications to stand can be found in the Candidates and Agents guidance in the electoral commission website.                                             

If you wish to register an interest to stand as a parish candidate please email your details to elections@sthelens.gov.uk

How do I become an MP?

To be able to stand as a candidate at a UK Parliamentary General Election in Great Britain you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights

You need to be nominated to stand as a candidate at the elections by:

• 10 electors from the relevant Parliamentary Constituency

Further information can be found in the Candidates and Agents guidance on the electoral commission website.

Do I have to be a member of a political party?

No, you don't, you can stand as an independent candidate.

You can contact us using the details below if you would like more information about becoming a councillor.

For more information please visit -guidance/candidate-or-agent