Standing as a candidate

Elections are taking place in Haydock & St Helens Town Centre on Thursday 25 June 2026. 

For more information on the election and the election timetable please visit Haydock & St Helens Town Centre Elections 25 June 2026

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. 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.

The deadline to submit your nomination paper to stand at the Haydock & St Helens Town Centre Elections on Thursday 25 June 2026 is 4pm on Friday 29 May 2026.

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                                   

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