The latest round of local government elections is almost upon us. Tomorrow, elections will be held for 248 English local councils, 6 directly elected English mayors, and all 11 councils in Northern Ireland. Close to 9,000 seats will be contested, and with the exception of a few cases of boundary changes or new councils, they are the same seats last contested on general election day in 2015. Here are my thoughts on the factors most likely to influence voters and election outcomes.