Voters across the United Kingdom are heading to polling stations on Thursday as elections take place in Scotland, Wales, and large parts of England, marking the most extensive electoral exercise since the 2024 general election.
In England, citizens are selecting representatives for around 5,000 council seats spread across 136 local authorities. Alongside these contests, six mayoral elections are being held, including in Watford and five London boroughs—Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, and Tower Hamlets.
Meanwhile, voters in Scotland are choosing all 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, with elections determining leadership over key devolved policy areas. The legislature, commonly referred to as Holyrood, comprises 73 constituency Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and 56 regional MSPs, with seven representatives elected from each region.
In Wales, voters are participating in a significant restructuring of their devolved legislature. The election will determine the composition of the Senedd, which is being expanded from 60 to 96 members across 16 newly drawn constituencies—representing the largest institutional change since devolution began in 1999.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 am local time (0600GMT) and are scheduled to close at 10:00 pm (2100GMT). While voters in Scotland and Wales are not required to present identification at polling stations, all participants in England’s local elections must show valid photo ID such as a passport or driving licence in order to cast their vote.
No elections are being held in Northern Ireland on Thursday, where the next round of local council and assembly polls is scheduled for May next year.
Ahead of the vote, political observers have pointed to rising support for Reform UK and the Green Party, with recent polling indicating dissatisfaction with both the governing Labour Party and the Conservative Party.
Although campaign issues vary across the nations, concerns over the cost of living, policing, immigration, and broader social policy dominate debates in England and Wales. In Scotland, however, discussions around independence remain central, alongside economic pressures and social care services.
