UK

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

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

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

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

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe 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.Thursday 2 MayPolls close across England and Wales in elections for 107 local authorities, 37 police & crime commissioners, 11 mayors, the London Assembly and the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election.Around a third of councils are due to declare overnight, including Bolton and Hartlepool, where Labour is hoping to win overall control, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock – key tests of Conservative and Labour popularity in Essex – and Redditch in Worcestershire, where the Tories could lose their majority if the party’s vote collapses.The result of the Blackpool South by-election is likely to be declared halfway through the night, with Labour tipped to gain this marginal seat from the Conservatives, in what would be the Tories’ 11th such defeat so far this parliament.Three police & crime commissioner (PCC) results are also due, for Avon & Somerset, Cumbria and Lincolnshire, all of which were won comfortably by the Tories at the last PCC elections in 2021, so it would be a shock if any changed hands.Here are the unofficial, estimated times for these results.By-election:Expected halfway through the nightCouncils:- 12.30am Broxbourne- 1.30am Hartlepool, Rochford, Sunderland- 2am Bolton, Gosport, Ipswich, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North East Lincolnshire, South Tyneside, Wigan- 2.30am Chorley, Eastleigh, Fareham, Hart, Oldham, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Southend-on-Sea- 2.45am Exeter- 3am Harlow, Kingston-upon-Hull, Lincoln, Sefton, Tameside, Thurrock- 3.15am Reading- 3.30am Colchester, Gateshead, Redditch, Stockport- 4am Peterborough, Plymouth- 4.30am Southampton- 5.30am WinchesterPolice & crime commissioners:- 1.30am Cumbria- 2.30am Avon & Somerset- 3am LincolnshireFriday 3 MayCounting begins in the morning for almost all the remaining councils in England, along with most PCCs and four of the mayoral elections: East Midlands, North East, Tees Valley and York & North Yorkshire.Key council results include Dudley, where Labour could become the largest party if the Conservatives are doing badly; Solihull and Walsall, where the Tories could lose overall control; Sheffield, which is likely to see a three-way tussle between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens over who ends up the largest party; Cannock Chase, where the Tories and Labour are currently tied; and Brentwood and Wokingham, where the Lib Dems are hoping to win an overall majority.A few council results will arrive late on Friday, including Dorset, Elmbridge in Surrey and Gloucester: all places where the Liberal Democrats are hoping for big wins in “blue wall” territories. Bristol is also due to declare, where the Greens are already the largest party but could take full control.Of the four mayoral results due this afternoon, most eyes will be on Tees Valley, where Conservative incumbent Ben Houchen is hoping for a third term and whose re-election would give a boost to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in what could otherwise be a grim set of polls.Some 24 PCC results are due, with Plaid Cymru keen to hold on to its one post in Dyfed-Powys and Labour looking to make gains from the Tories in areas such as Cleveland, Humberside and Lancashire.Councils:- 11am Norwich- 12pm Blackburn with Darwen, Walsall- 12.30pm Castle Point, Havant- 1pm Cannock Chase, Manchester, Watford, Welwyn Hatfield- 1.30pm Burnley, Preston, Sheffield, West Oxfordshire- 2pm Basildon, Brentwood, Hyndburn, Knowsley, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Rossendale- 2.30pm Crawley, Rochdale, Solihull- 3pm Barnsley, Hastings, Kirklees, Maidstone, Rotherham, Three Rivers- 3.30pm Halton, Milton Keynes, Sandwell, Trafford- 4pm Adur, Bury, Calderdale, Cheltenham, Epping Forest, Pendle, St Albans, Swindon, Tunbridge Wells, Woking, Wokingham- 4.30pm Dudley, Leeds, Wakefield- 5pm Basingstoke & Deane, Bradford, Cambridge, Coventry, Oxford, Runnymede, Tandridge, Worthing- 5.30pm Rugby, Wolverhampton, Worcester- 5.45pm Cherwell- 6pm Mole Valley, North Hertfordshire, Reigate & Banstead, Stevenage, Tamworth- 6.30pm Bristol, Elmbridge- 7pm Dorset- 8pm West Lancashire- 10pm GloucesterMayors:- 12pm North East- 12.30pm Tees Valley- 2.30pm East Midlands- 3pm York & North YorkshirePolice & crime commissioners:- 1pm Gwent, North Wales- 1.30pm Humberside- 2pm Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Hampshire, Suffolk- 3pm Bedfordshire, Devon & Cornwall, Dyfed-Powys, Norfolk, Surrey- 3.30pm Leicestershire- 4pm Essex, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, South Wales, Staffordshire- 4.30pm Northumbria- 5pm Cleveland, Durham, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire- 6pm Derbyshire, West MerciaSaturday 4 MayCounting begins on Saturday for some of the most high-profile contests of these elections: the mayoral contests in Greater Manchester, London and the West Midlands, along with counts for the mayors of the Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Salford, plus eight more PCCs, three councils and the London Assembly.By early afternoon the outcome of the London mayoral election should start to become clear, with each of the 14 constituencies across the capital due to report their results and show whether Labour’s Sadiq Khan has won a third term in office.A strong Labour performance in the capital could see the party gain the London Assembly seat of West Central, where the Conservatives are defending a majority of just over 2,000.The Tories will be hoping Andy Street holds on as mayor of the West Midlands and helps offset losses elsewhere, including in the PCC elections where Labour could take back Cheshire.Councils:- 4pm North Tyneside, Stroud, WarringtonMayors:- 12pm Liverpool City Region- 1.30pm London (results announced by local area, followed by overall total later; indicative picture expected by this time) – 2pm South Yorkshire- 3pm West Midlands- 3.15pm West Yorkshire- 4pm Greater Manchester- 5pm SalfordPolice & crime commissioners:- 12pm Hertfordshire- 2pm Thames Valley- 2.30pm Warwickshire, West Midlands- 3pm Cheshire, Dorset- 3.30pm Merseyside- 4pm WiltshireSunday 5 MaySalford is the 107th and final council due to declare, along with the PCCs for Kent and Sussex plus any late results from the previous days.Councils:- 3pm SalfordPolice & crime commissioners:- 3.30pm Sussex- 4pm Kent More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailKate Forbes has announced she will not be standing as the next leader of the Scottish National Party, following days of speculation.The former Scottish cabinet minister has ruled herself out of the leadership contest just hours after her colleague and former deputy SNP leader John Swinney announced his intention to stand.In a tweet thread posted on social media site X, Ms Forbes said: “I have listened very carefully to the vision @JohnSwinney set out this morning for Scotland. I welcomed, and embrace, his commitment to ensure internal respect for robust and divergent debate in the party, which is the lifeblood of any democratic institution like the SNP.”She added: “I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader.”Mr Swinney announced his intention to stand for election as leader of the Scottish National Party.Announcing his decision during a press conference, the MSP and former deputy first minister of Scotland said: “I intend to stand for election as leader of the Scottish National Party.“I want to build on the work of the SNP government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland. That will ensure opportunity for all of our citizens.”Mr Swinney also said he wants Ms Forbes to be part of his new government team, describing her as an “intelligent, creative person who has much to contribute”.It had been widely anticipated that the former cabinet minister would run again after she narrowly missed out at the previous leadership contest to Humza Yousaf.Kate Forbes has announced she will run not for SNP leader More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSenior SNP insiders have told The Independent that there is a succession plan in place to prevent the party from moving to the right under a potential Kate Forbes leadership in the future.Ms Forbes has ruled herself out of making a second bid for the leadership in just over a year in a move which should ensure former deputy first minister John Swinney is unopposed as a replacement Humza Yousaf.But senior party sources have claimed that Mr Swinney, who was previously leader in a disastrous period for the SNP between 2000 and 2004, is “only a stop gap” option until the next Scottish Parliament election in 2026.An SNP MP, who is an ally of Mr Yousaf and his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, has told The Independent that the plan is for the party’s current Westminister leader Stephen Flynn to be parachuted in as “the long term option” for leader at the Holyrood election.The aim appears to be to ensure that Ms Forbes, who narrowly lost to Mr Yousaf last year, does not become leader of the party.Kate Forbes will not be running as SNP leader this time (Jane Barlow/PA) More