As is typical for Preston's council elections, sixteen seats of the forty-eight total were contested.[3] Labour have had majority control of the council for most of the council's existence, including from 2011 following a period of no overall control, and remained with a comfortable majority when the results were announced. However, the Liberal Democrats enjoyed a successful election, nearly doubling their seat count after taking several seats from the Conservatives[4] and becoming the main opposition in Preston City Council. In addition, in a shock result the Liberal Democrats took a seat from Labour in the Lea and Larches ward, unseating then-cabinet member for health and wellbeing (and acting county council Labour opposition group leader) Jennifer Mein by a mere 13 votes following a recount.[5]
The majority of contested seats were fought only by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats; however in five wards, independent runners or the parities Reform UK and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition also stood although none of these were successful in gaining a seat. Unlike last year, the Green Party did not stand in any seats.
Following the election the leader of the Preston Conservatives Sue Whittam announced her resignation as leader.[6]
The Statements of Persons Nominated was released by Preston Council on 8 April 2024 following the close of nominations.[2] The results were announced a day after the election.[1] Incumbent councillors that stood for re-election are marked with an asterisk (*).
^"Preston City Council local elections 2024: All the candidates who want your vote". LancsLive. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
^Beardsworth, Luke (3 May 2024). "Preston City Council local elections 2024 rolling results updates". Blog Preston. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
^Faulkner, Paul (3 May 2024). "Preston election results 2024: Lib Dems become main opposition as Tories trounced & Labour lose cabinet member". Lancashire Post. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
^Preston local elections 2024 - Preston Conservatives leader Sue Whittam. Retrieved 2024-05-06 – via www.youtube.com.