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”.
Polls open across country for local elections
Voters head to the polls today in a series of local elections seen as the final test of public opinion before Rishi Sunak goes to the country later this year.
Most of the seats up for re-election were last contested in 2021, at the peak of Boris Johnson’s popularity as the Covid-19 vaccine was rolled out.
A total of 11 mayoral contests are also taking place, including for the London mayoralty between frontrunners, Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan and Tory challenger Susan Hall.
Conservative mayors Andy Street in the West Midlands, and Tees Valley’s Ben Houchen are also facing key re-election battles, with polls suggesting narrow contests with their Labour opponents.
Forecasts have consistently put Mr Khan ahead of Ms Hall, with a poll published on Wednesday by Savanta giving him a 10-point advantage after his lead tapered over the campaign.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 May 2024 07:28
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the location elections.
The polls are now open in 107 councils and 11 mayoral contests across England.
Voters in England and Wales are also choosing new policing and crime commissioners.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 07:00
ICYMI: Send ‘out of touch’ Tories a message on Thursday, Lib Dems urge voters
Thursday’s local elections are a chance for voters to send “this out of touch Conservative government” a message, the Lib Dems have said.
Party leader Sir Ed Davey, who has visited so-called “blue wall” areas during the campaign, added: “In former Conservative heartlands like Tunbridge Wells, Dorset and Wokingham voters are switching to the Liberal Democrats after years of failure from this Conservative government.
“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to elect a strong local champion, who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community.”
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 06:00
ICYMI: Tories losing West Midlands and Tees Valley at mayoral elections would ‘set vultures circling’, Sunak warned
On the weekend reports emerged of a Tory plot to replace the PM with Penny Mordaunt, Mr Sunak has been warned that the unseating of Ben Houchen and Andy Street in next Thursday’s contests could further damage his standing.
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 05:00
No threat to Sunak after local elections, says Badenoch
The prime minister’s position is not under threat, a Cabinet minister has said as the local election campaign enters its final day.
Forecasts suggest Thursday’s local elections could see the Conservatives lose up to half of the council seats they are defending in a contest seen as the final test of public opinion ahead of the general election.
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 04:00
ICYMI: Tories’ top mayor disowns Rishi Sunak on eve of poll
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Lord Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 03:00
Sadiq Khan accuses Lee Anderson of ‘fuelling hate’ amid secret recording
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 02:00
Can Monty Panesar spin his way into the House of Commons?
England’s former left-arm bowler wants to become a left-wing MP but, as Sean O’Grady explains, a Labour majority could leave him stumped
Read Sean’s piece in full here:
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 01:00
Tories expect ‘significant losses’ at local elections, Chancellor says
Jeremy Hunt has said the Conservatives will likely suffer “significant losses” in the local elections as the party braces itself for a contest seen as the final test of public opinion before a general election.
The Chancellor sought to manage expectations before voters head to the polls on Thursday, suggesting the Tories are anticipating defeat in hundreds of seats.
Matt Mathers2 May 2024 00:01
How will success and failure unfold for Labour and Conservatives in the local elections?
Matt Mathers1 May 2024 23:00
