The city of Bristol, England, is a unitary authority, represented by four MPs representing seats wholly within the city boundaries. The overall trend of both local and national representation became left of centre during the latter 20th century. The city has a tradition of local activism, with environmental issues and sustainable transport^[1] being prominent issues in the city.

In 2017 the West of England Combined Authority and Mayor of the West of England were created covering the local authorities of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset. Powers include transport and strategic planning for the combined areas.

City Council

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2024)

The City of Bristol is a ceremonial county governed by a unitary authority; Bristol City Council. The city is divided into 34 wards, which each elect one, two or three councillors (depending on the population of the ward) for a four-year term. The whole council is elected every four years.^[2]

The full council of 70 councillors has ultimate responsibility for establishing the decision-making process and approving the council's budget and policy framework.^[3] The council meets at the City Hall (known as the Council House up until 2012). Full meetings are chaired by the Lord Mayor, a largely ceremonial role that does not hold direct power. The Lord Mayor is a councillor, elected annually in May by the council members.^[4]

Composition and control

Current councillors

Combined Authority

Since February 2017, Bristol has been part of the West of England Combined Authority. The Combined Authority was originally meant to cover the same area as the former county of Avon which existed between 1974 and 1996, but North Somerset Council rejected the proposal.^[5] The Councils of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset agreed to proceed with the deal without North Somerset.^[6][7]

The authority's functions, as specified by the West of England Combined Authority Order, mostly cover planning, skills and local transport.^[8]

The first election for the position of Mayor of the West of England took place on 4 May 2017, and was won by Tim Bowles of the Conservatives with a total of 70,300 votes, including second preferences. The turnout was 29.7%, with 199,519 voting out of the possible 671,280.^[9] The second election took place in 2021 and was won by Labour candidate and former MP for Wansdyke Dan Norris.^[10]

The Cabinet of the Combined Authority consists of the leaders of all three constituent councils, plus the Mayor of the West of England.^[11]

Westminster representation

No seats changed parties in 2019.

The names of parliamentary constituencies in Bristol were changed in 1885 when the original Bristol (UK Parliament constituency) was split into four and they were revised further in the 20th century.

There are now four Westminster constituencies that are part of Bristol proper—Bristol West, Bristol East, Bristol South and Bristol North West.

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies proposes to abolish Bristol West and re-establish the seats of Bristol Central and Bristol North East.^[12]

Green Party of England and Wales co-leader, Carla Denyer is standing for the newly created Westminster constituency of Bristol Central at the next UK general election.^[13]