politics
UK Holds Local and Devolved Elections
Millions of voters in England, Scotland and Wales began casting ballots on May 7, 2026 in elections for about 5,000 council seats, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Senedd. The vote is widely viewed as the first major test of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government since its 2024 landslide victory.
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Voters across England, Scotland and Wales went to the polls on Thursday in the largest set of elections since the 2024 general election. m. m. BST. Roughly 5,000 council seats in England were contested along with full elections to the Scottish Parliament and the newly expanded Welsh Senedd.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria voted in London early in the day. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth also cast ballots shortly after polls opened. Results are expected to begin arriving overnight and continue through Friday and into Saturday.
Opinion polls predict strong performances by Reform UK, which has focused its campaign on immigration and public services, and by the Greens. The More in Common think tank projected Reform UK could secure more than 1,200 local seats. Labour is at risk of losing control of the Welsh government in Cardiff for the first time since devolution 27 years ago while the Scottish National Party is forecast to retain power in Edinburgh.
The elections are seen as a verdict on Starmer’s leadership after his party’s landslide win less than two years ago. Public frustration has grown over living costs, immigration and weak economic growth. Surveys suggest the results could reshape Britain’s political landscape after decades of dominance by Labour and the Conservatives.
In England, about 5,000 seats across 136 local councils are up for election along with six mayoral races in Watford and five London boroughs. Councils handle services including care for the elderly, rubbish collection, housing, education and road maintenance.
Voters in England must show valid photo ID such as a passport or driving licence to vote in person.
129 seats in the Scottish Parliament are contested under a mixed electoral system of first-past-the-post constituencies and proportional regional lists. The parliament holds powers over health, education, housing, policing and some taxes. Results are expected to be largely clear by early Friday evening though some recounts could extend into Saturday.
