London: Local elections are set to take place on May 7 in three of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, and Wales. After the government reversed its earlier decision to delay council elections, preparations are underway for nearly 5,000 seats across 136 local councils.
This will be the largest election since the 2024 general election. Voters in Scotland and Wales will elect representatives to their national parliaments, while in England, councillors and mayors will be elected in 30 councils.
Additionally, mayoral elections will be held in six English areas: Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Watford.
In Northern Ireland, council and assembly elections are scheduled for May 2027.
This time, candidates of Nepali origin are also in the race, and they are intensifying their campaigns. They are being supported by party leaders, MPs, and councillors.
Former British Gurkha Uttar Bahadur Gurung is contesting as a councillor candidate from the Wellington ward in Aldershot, under the Rushmoor Borough, where there is a significant Nepali population.
The 66-year-old Gurung is running as a candidate from the ruling Labour Party. He has been associated with Labour’s campaign since 2007 and became more active after 2011. During the 2024 UK general election, he actively campaigned for Labour leader Alex Baker, who won the Aldershot seat as an MP.
Gurung says he became a candidate for the Wellington ward at the request of the Labour Party and hopes to serve the community if elected. He noted that even before formal welfare offices were established, he had been actively supporting elderly ex-Gurkhas since 2006–2007. Addressing rising anti-social behaviour through coordination with the police and improving access to healthcare are among his key agendas.
In the same ward, another Nepali-origin candidate, Dr Bishal Gurung, is contesting from the Conservative Party, making the contest between two Nepali-origin candidates particularly interesting.
Dr Gurung is a well-known figure in Aldershot, often referred to as the “Nepali capital” of the UK. He regularly travels to Nepal to conduct free eye camps and currently serves as General Secretary of Tamu Dhee UK and Vice President of the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community. His agenda includes safer and cleaner neighbourhoods, creating opportunities for youth, and promoting community integration.
“I have long worked as a volunteer for the welfare of Nepalis in Aldershot, whether helping elderly parents access housing benefits and pension credits or coordinating with the council for youth employment,” he says. “Through this work, I realised that having more Nepali-origin councillors in the council helps bring our community’s issues to the local level, which is why I decided to run.”
He also aspires to inspire future generations to pursue parliamentary careers.
In his ward, out of around 12,000 residents, approximately 5,200 are registered voters, including about 500 of Nepali origin.
Meanwhile, in the Plumstead and Glyndon ward of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, two Nepali candidates are also contesting.
Jeet Ranabhat, who moved to the UK in 2008 under the Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme, was elected a councillor in 2022 and is contesting again from the Labour and Co-operative Party. He has also served as mayor and deputy mayor.
“Once you enter politics, you either retire or continue,” he told Onlinekhabar. “I have party-defined agendas. In the past, I represented residents’ issues strongly, and this time too, I will remain dedicated to the community.”
He added that the ruling Labour Party prioritises the issues of the working class and migrants.
Narendra Kandel, former president of Pashupati Nath Temple in Plumstead and a social activist, is also contesting independently from the same ward.
Kandel said he is running with the support of the newly formed socialist political group “Your Party” and claims to have backing from the Green Party as well. “Your Party” was launched in July 2025 by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
Recalling that he had also contested local elections around 2008, Kandel said he decided to run again to bring Nepali community issues to the council. He aims to address problems such as parking shortages, lack of public toilets, limited access to council services for elderly Gurkhas, and rising crime.
Gomaaya Gurung is contesting for the first time as a councillor candidate from the Labour and Co-operative Party in the Abbey Wood ward of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. A party member for nearly a decade, she is also the chair of the Greenwich Mummies Forum and treasurer of the party’s Plumstead branch.
Living in the UK since 2009, she has been actively involved in community work, including child welfare, women’s empowerment, fundraising for charities, supporting elderly and vulnerable residents, park clean-ups, and waste management. She says she will continue these efforts if elected.
“I have been leading programs focused on empowering mothers and children through arts, fitness, and environmental activities,” she says. “In the future as well, I will dedicate my time to community welfare.”
Solicitor Tom Adhikari has also announced his candidacy as an independent socialist and community candidate for Woolwich Dockyard, calling for change in Greenwich.
Claiming that the Labour-dominated council has ignored the real concerns of residents, Adhikari said he decided to run to amplify the voices of the people.
“I am currently serving as president of the Woolwich Plumstead Nepali Community, working to bring together residents from all backgrounds,” he says. “I believe politics should begin with listening to local people and standing up for our community. When we work together, we can achieve meaningful change.”
The number of Nepalis entering local politics in the UK, as councillors, deputy mayors, and mayors, is increasing. However, entering Parliament remains a distant goal. Although Nepali-origin Dr Bachchu Kailash Kaini once contested for a parliamentary seat, he was unsuccessful.
