| Election Name: | 2021 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council election |
| Country: | South Yorkshire |
| Type: | parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Party Colour: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 2016 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council election |
| Previous Year: | 2016 |
| Next Election: | 2024 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council election |
| Next Year: | 2024 |
| Seats For Election: | All 59 seats up for election to Rotherham Metropolitan Council |
| Majority Seats: | 30 |
| Election Date: | 6 May 2021 |
| Turnout: | 30.1% |
| Party1: | Labour Party (UK) |
| Seats1: | 32 |
| Seat Change1: | 16 |
| Popular Vote1: | 50,681 |
| Percentage1: | 41.4 |
| Swing1: | 9.6 |
| Party2: | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Seats2: | 20 |
| Seat Change2: | 20 |
| Popular Vote2: | 34,833 |
| Percentage2: | 28.4 |
| Swing2: | 20.5 |
| Party3: | Rotherham Democratic Party |
| Seats3: | 3 |
| Seat Change3: | 3 |
| Popular Vote3: | 14,659 |
| Percentage3: | 12.0 |
| Swing3: | New |
| Party4: | Liberal Democrats (UK) |
| Seats4: | 3 |
| Seat Change4: | 3 |
| Popular Vote4: | 9,636 |
| Percentage4: | 7.9 |
| Swing4: | 6.5 |
| Party5: | Independent (politician) |
| Seats5: | 1 |
| Popular Vote5: | 6,326 |
| Percentage5: | 5.2 |
| Council control | |
| Posttitle: | Council control after election |
| Before Election: | Labour |
| After Election: | Labour |
Elections to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council were held on 6 May 2021.
Although Labour retained control of the council, the Conservatives went from zero to 20 seats at this election.[1]
Source:[2]
A by-election was held on 9 December 2021 after the resignation of Cllr Emma McClure
A by-election was held on 9 December 2021 after the resignation of Cllr Jack Austin
A by-election was held on 27 January 2023 after the resignation of Cllr Paul Hague
In July 2023, following the resignation of a Dinnington Ward councillor, the Conservatives successfully defended the seat. The by-election was labelled as ‘crucial’ as it was seen as a 'red wall' area. The Conservatives increased their vote share.[3]
In May 2023, Councillors Emily Barley and Jill Thompson resigned from the Conservative Group and formed the 'Independent Conservative' Group. Councillor Charlie Wooding was suspended from the Conservative Group whilst an investigation took place regarding his attendance, and he subsequently resigned triggering a by-election. [4] [5]
The Rotherham Democratic Party disbanded in 2022, with its councillors thereafter sitting as independents.[6]