Millions across England, Scotland and Wales to vote in key elections
Millions across England, Scotland and Wales to vote in key electionsJust now Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPA MediaMillions of people across England, Scotland and Wales are set to...
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Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Millions across England, Scotland and Wales to vote in key electionsJust now Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPA MediaMillions of people across England, Scotland and Wales are set to vote in the largest set of polls since the general election in 2024. Voters in Scotland and Wales will choose who should run their national parliaments, while seats on dozens of councils and mayors are up for election in England. The polls will be open between 07:00 BST and 22:00 BST on Thursday 7 May, with results expected to follow on Friday and over the weekend.
The polls will be the biggest test of public opinion since Labour won the general election in 2024. These will be the second set of elections during the premiership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In Scotland, where the Scottish National Party is currently in power, the election will decide who governs the country in key areas such as health and education.
The Details
All 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are up for re-election. In Wales, where Labour has continuously been in power since devolution in 1999, 92 seats are up for grabs in an expanded Senedd. The party that wins the most seats in the Senedd would expect to lead the Welsh government and, like in Scotland, set policy on devolved issues.
There are about 5,000 councillors across 136 local authorities, as well as six mayors, up for election in parts of England. Labour either controls or leads the majority of the council areas where voters are going to the polls in England on Thursday. The results will determine who runs vital public services such as schools, social care, rubbish collection and transport.
All adults aged 18 and over can vote in the elections if they are either a British or Irish citizen, or a qualifying foreign national. Everyone voting in person in the local elections in England will need a valid photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, but there is no such requirement in Scotland and Wales. The vast majority of the results in England, Scotland and Wales are expected on Friday.
The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.
