Polling stations have opened in England for local elections viewed as the final big test of public opinion ahead of the general election.
Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across the country, with 2,636 seats up for grabs. Voters will also choose the mayor of London, London assembly members and 10 other mayors outside the capital.
There is also a by-election taking place in Blackpool South following the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton. Voters in England and Wales will also choose new police and crime commissioners.
Polling suggests that the mayoral contests in Tees Valley and West Midlands are on a knife edge and will be closely watched in Westminster for their potential ramifications in a national vote.
Forecasts say the Tories could lose up to half the 1,000 or so council seats they are defending and rebels opposed to Rishi Sunak’s premiership have warned they would move against him if the results were poor.
But business secretary Kemi Badenoch insisted the prime minister’s position was safe, claiming he has “the full backing of the Cabinet”.
Local elections 2024: At-a-glance guide to results and declaration times When to expect results for 107 councils, 11 mayors, the London
The results of Thursday’s elections are being declared over several days, starting shortly after polls close and ending on Sunday, 5 May.
Here is a summary of all the key contests and times:
Local election results: Ask John Rentoul anything as public opinion is tested ahead of general election
The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul is on hand to answer all your questions about the local elections.
Follow the link below for more details on how to get involved in the conversation:
Forbes and Swinney held ‘frank and constructive’ talks before leadership announcements
Talks between Kate Forbes and former deputy first minister John Swinney, she said, were “both frank and constructive”.
“What emerged was that we share a powerful common purpose for the country,” she added.
“That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement.
“It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses.
“But more than that, John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people.
“That was the vision I offered in the last leadership contest, and is evidently demanded by the Scottish public.”
Veteran cards will be added to list of approved voting ID – No 10
The government says it intends to add the new Veteran Cards to a list of approved identification for voting.
A government spokesperson said: “Our intention is for the new Veteran Card, which was rolled out in January 2024, to be added to the official list of recognised identification – and we are already consulting on this. Defence Identity cards for serving Armed Forces members are already accepted.
“The introduction of the requirement to show photographic identification for voting in person across Great Britain is in line with longstanding arrangements in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, and has been recommended by international election watchdogs, including the Electoral Commission.
“The vast majority of voters in the polling station – 99.75 per cent – cast their vote successfully at the local elections in England in May 2023, and we are confident that they will be able to do so at these polls.”
Mordaunt: My support for the PM will continue after the weekend and beyond
Penny Mordaunt has said her support for the prime minister will continue after the weekend and beyond.
The House of Commons leader was asked about reports she could replace Mr Sunak after the local elections during business questions on Thursday.
“I too have read that I’m to be installed rather like a new boiler into number 10 next week, and I have to say there is as much truth to these stories as there is in Labour’s assurances to its business community that it isn’t actually going to do the things it’s been saying it’s going to do, as it’s promised its union paymasters,” she told Nick Smith, shadow deputy leader of the house.
“But let me say again, I support our prime minister and I will continue to support him after this weekend and beyond.”
Kate Forbes confirms she won’t stand in SNP leadership contest
Kate Forbes has announced she will not stand to replace Humza Yousaf as Scottish first minister and SNP leader, clearing the way for early favourite John Swinney to take the reins.
Ms Forbes, the former finance secretary, had been tipped as a potential replacement for Mr Yousaf, who resigned earlier this week as he faced no confidence motions in his leadership and government.
Mr Swinney, the former deputy first minister, confirmed he would run earlier on Thursday, saying that he wanted Ms Forbes to become a “significant part” of his potential future government.
Ms Forbes thanked SNP members who had reached out and urged her to stand, recognising some may be disappointed.
“To those people I say this – you can be certain that delivering on the priorities for which we have, together, advocated in recent years has been at the heart of today’s decision,” she said.
“It is now clear from this morning’s statement that in John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it.
“I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”
Conservative MP misplaces photo ID needed to vote in local elections
A Conservative MP has said his dyspraxia caused him to misplace his photo ID, forcing him to arrange an emergency proxy vote for Thursday’s local elections.
Tom Hunt, who represents Ipswich, warned people “persecuting” him online to be “very careful with their words”, saying it is “well known that sadly we are slightly more prone to lose things”.
Full report:
Local and mayoral elections May 2024: Where are they, the key dates and what to look out for
It may not be the general election many are calling for, but today, a series of council elections will take place across more than 100 local authorities in England.
They will be the last local elections before the Rishi Sunak calls the national vote – with the results potentially confirming which way the country will go later this year.
No 10 will ‘look into’ veterans’ ID cards being turned away from polling station
Downing Street has said it will “look into” including veterans’ ID cards on the list of valid voter ID following reports of a former serviceman being turned away from a polling station.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “This ID card was introduced very, very recently.
“I think it’s something that we will want to look into. There’s already a very wide range of acceptable documents including a free voter authority certificate which is accepted at all polling stations so anyone who is eligible to vote can continue to do so.
“But we will certainly look into the question of the veteran ID card which was introduced earlier this year.”
The spokesman said Downing Street had no concerns about voter ID more generally, adding: “We don’t want to see anyone turned away from polling stations, we want everyone to be able to vote.
“Experience from the last local elections was that 99.75% of people were able to cast their vote successfully.”
