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    UK’s governing Conservatives suffer big losses in local elections as Labour appears headed for power

    Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster email Britain’s governing Conservative Party is suffering heavy losses as local election results pour in Friday, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a U.K. general election in which the main opposition Labour Party appears increasingly likely to return to power after 14 years.Labour won control of councils in England it hasn’t held for decades and was successful in a special by-election for Parliament. Its only negative appears to have been in some areas with large Muslim populations where the party’s candidates suffered as a result of leader Keir Starmer ‘s strongly pro-Israel stance in the conflict in Gaza.Labour won Blackpool South, a long-time Labour seat in the northwest of England that went Conservative in the last general election in 2019, when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a big victory. In the contest, triggered by the resignation of a Conservative lawmaker following a lobbying scandal, Labour’s Chris Webb secured 10,825 votes, 7,607 more than his second-placed Conservative opponent.“This seismic win in Blackpool South is the most important result today,” Starmer said. “This is the one contest where voters had the chance to send a message to Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives directly, and that message is an overwhelming vote for change.”Thursday’s elections were important in themselves, with voters deciding who will run many aspects of their daily lives, such as garbage collection, road maintenance and local crime prevention, in the coming years. But with a general election looming, they will be viewed through a national prism.The results so far provide more evidence that Labour is likely to form the next government — and by quite a margin — and that Starmer will become prime minister. As of early Friday, with barely a quarter of the 2,661 seats up for grabs counted, the Conservatives were down 115 while Labour was up 60.The results will roll in through Saturday. Sunak hopes he can point to successes, notably in several key mayoral races, to douse talk that the Conservative Party will change its leader again before the United Kingdom’s main election, which could take place as soon as next month. Key to his survival could be the results of mayoral elections in Tees Valley in the northeast of England and in the West Midlands. The former is due Friday lunchtime and the latter on Saturday. Should Conservative mayors Andy Street and Ben Houchen hold on, he may win some respite from restive lawmakers in his party. Should both lose, he may face trouble. Labour’s Sadiq Khan is expected to remain mayor of London when results are announced on Saturday..Sunak could preempt any challenge by threatening to call a general election that has to take place before January 2025. He has the power to decide on the date and has indicated that it will be in the second half of 2024. More

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    Rishi Sunak faces make-or-break local elections as ‘armageddon’ looms with new poll low

    Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak is facing a make-or-break 48 hours as some Tory MPs plot to engineer his downfall even as the local election results in England are still being counted.The chances of the prime minister facing a vote of no confidence from his MPs were heightened on Thursday when the latest YouGov poll revealed the party is even less popular under his leadership than during the calamitous premiership of Liz Truss.According to the survey, taken on 30 April and 1 May, the Conservatives are down to just 18 per cent – 26 points behind Labour on 44 per cent and a mere three points ahead of Reform UK on 15 per cent.If this were repeated in a general election, the Tories would be reduced to 32 seats with Sir Keir Starmer holding a majority of 388, according to prediction site Electoral Calculus.There was further bad news from a Techne UK poll of 1,632 voters, partly taken during polling day, which put Labour on 44 per cent and the Tories on 22 per cent. The survey data revealed that only 43 per cent of those who backed the Tories in the 2019 election would do so at the next general election.Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is forecast to suffer heavy losses in Thursday’s local elections More

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    Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting photo ID

    Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailBoris Johnson fell foul of legislation he introduced himself as prime minister when he was reportedly turned away from a polling station after failing to take photographic identification.Mr Johnson, who quit as PM after three years in 2022, had been trying to cast his vote in the local elections in South Oxfordshire, according to Sky News.But polling station staff had to turn the former Conservative Party leader away because he could not produce any ID, Sky said. Showing a document with a photo identifying the voter has been compulsory since the Elections Act 2022 took effect a year ago.For live coverage of the local elections, and the results, follow our live blog by clicking hereElections are taking place in 107 local authorities across the country, with 2,636 seats up for grabs.A spokesperson for Mr Johnson did not deny he had failed to bring ID, adding he did manage to vote on Thursday.In 2021, the then prime minister and Tory leader said: “What we want to do is protect democracy, the transparency and the integrity of the electoral process. And I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask first-time voters to produce some evidence of identity.”In 2019, Johnson did not need ID to vote but this time he apparently forgot about his own law More

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    Local elections 2024: The best dogs spotted at polling stations

    Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWhile a donkey may have been spotted at one polling station, it was our furry canine friends who once again stole the show on election day.Scores of dogs, of all breeds, shapes and sizes, have been pictured outside polling stations waiting patiently while their masters cast their ballots in the locals.Dogs at polling stations started as a trend on what was then known as Twitter but has become somewhat of an institution over the years, with democracy-loving pooches up and down the country posing for pictures on the big day.Here are some of our favourites from local elections in 2024:Cinna, an 8-year-old rescue dog from Greece More

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    Is there an exit poll for the 2024 local and mayoral elections?

    Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailVoters in England are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in local elections viewed as the final big test of public opinion before 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 stations close at 10pm and some of the results will start to trickle in overnight, with others being declared throughout Friday and over the weekend.What is an exit poll?An exit poll is a survey of voters that asks them what party or politician they voted for in an election.The surveys are carried out by data companies and are usually commissioned by media organisations.At UK general elections, exit polls are used to predict how many seats each party has won and the percentage of votes they have secured.Exit polls have been used at UK general elections for at least three decades and are becoming more accurate as the methodologies used to produce them improve,At the 2019 general election, an exit poll for the  BBC, ITV and Sky News predicted that the Conservatives would get 386 MPs while Labour would get 191.In the end, the Tories won 365 seats versus Labour’s 202.2019 general election exit poll More

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    Veteran in Army for 27 years turned away at polling station as military ID not allowed

    Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA former British Army soldier has said he had been turned away from a local polling station because of his veteran’s ID. Adam Diver, 46, who served for 27 years, was left “gutted” after learning a Veteran ID is not on the list of valid identification for voters. Voters have been required to bring photographic identification for certain elections in the UK since May 2023.This came after parliament passed the Elections Act in April 2022. Voter ID is now required at by-elections and recall petitions, general elections, local elections and referendums in England. In a post on X, Mr Diver said: “I’m not one for complaining but I am gutted! “I spent 27 years in the Army and today I was going to vote in my local elections. “I was sadly turned away at the door as my Veteran ID was not allowed as formal ID. I will be fighting for this “special ID” to be “more” formal.”Veteran’s Minister Johnny Mercer has since apologised for Mr Diver’s ordeal, and pledged to have the rules changed. Johnny Mercer (James Manning/PA) More

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    ‘No Pimm’s with Penny’: Mordaunt dismisses leadership bid rumours amid local elections

    Penny Mordaunt has dispelled rumours of a leadership bid and pledged to stand by prime minister Rishi Sunak following local elections.During Business Questions in the House of Commons on Thursday 2 May, Ms Mordaunt also said she thinks something will “crop up” before a general election to turn the tide of public opinion in favour of the Conservatives.She has been one of several senior Tories at the focus of party leadership rumours, compounded this week by reports of a plot to oust Mr Sunak. More

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    Local elections 2024 – live: Polls open for mayoral and council contests in England as Tories brace for losses

    Sadiq Khan casts his vote in the London Mayoral electionSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailPolling 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”. Show latest update 1714661312Local 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: Matt Mathers2 May 2024 15:481714659710Local election results: Ask John Rentoul anything as public opinion is tested ahead of general electionThe 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:Matt Mathers2 May 2024 15:211714658782Matt Mathers2 May 2024 15:061714658108Forbes and Swinney held ‘frank and constructive’ talks before leadership announcementsTalks 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.”Matt Mathers2 May 2024 14:551714657455Veteran cards will be added to list of approved voting ID – No 10The 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.” More