Elections to Manchester City Council were held on 5 May 2011, along with the 2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate serving a four-year term of office, expiring in 2015. The Labour Party retained overall control of the council, managing to win every seat contested. Overall turnout was a comparatively high 31.6%, although much down on the previous year's general election turnout of 50.9%. Councillors elected in 2007 were defending their seats this year, and vote share changes are compared on this basis.