Holding European Parliament elections concurrently with local elections increases turnout and benefits certain parties

The UK will hold hold elections for the European Parliament on 22 May, alongside the local government elections also taking place in many areas. Kevin Larkin has analysed the effect of holding these types of election on the same day, and finds that it leads to a small but significant increase in voter turnout. It may also hand an advantage to particular parties, with Labour most likely to benefit in May because of the pattern of local elections taking place.