May elections live: millions cast their votes across England, Scotland and Wales | May 2026 elections
Where is this from Zack PolanskiGreen Party leader.
Here’s the message to voters Ed DaveyLiberal Democrat leader.
The ballot boxes are open, the choices are clear. We have less than 24 hours to stop reform and defend the country we love against Nigel Farage’s Trump style politics.
We have now seen what Reform looks like in power: banning journalists, scrapping renewables, closing care homes and increasing council taxes despite promises. Our society cannot handle this chaos.
Across the country, from Hampshire to Hull, the battle is now on between the Liberal Democrats and Reformation. We are the ones who carry the struggle to them and defend kindness, tolerance and the rule of law.
Liberal Democrats don’t do divisiveness, we do the hard work of getting things done. Whether it’s fixing the church roof, ending the GP surgery crisis or finally cleaning up the sewage in our rivers, a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a local champion who works hard for their community. Don’t wake up with a result you’ll regret tomorrow.
Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria voted early today. Here they arrive at a polling station in Westminster.
For years Westminster was a Conservative-run council, but switched to Labor in 2022. This year that’s a Tory target.
What’s this Dave Hill And Lewis Walking Stick say this about Westminster in his excellent and extremely comprehensive writings: London Decides guide to the elections in the capital.
In June 2025, a member of his crew jumped aboard the rival ship Reform: he has since been appointed as his new party’s candidate for Mayor of London in 2028. Another followed in November. There were two more by-elections; one of these secured Tory support, the other Labour. The net result is that Labor now has 28 seats, the Conservative Party has 24 and Reform has two. Many Westminster wards are swinging by narrow margins, and every vote will count as Reform and the Greens try to get into bipartisan legislation.
Here is the election message Kemi BadenochLeader of the conservative party.
Today, as millions of people across the country go to the polls, they face a very difficult choice: between choosing a Conservative council that delivers better services and cuts taxes, or the chaos and chaos offered by Labour, Reform and others.
Under my leadership the Conservative party has changed. We know where we made mistakes and we fix them.
The next Conservative government will introduce cheaper energy bills, take back our streets with 10,000 more police officers, cut business rates on high streets, end the war on motorists and abolish stamp duty on the family home.
We are the only party that has the plan, the team and the backbone to create a stronger economy and a stronger country.
These elections are on a knife edge. Every vote counts and yours can make the difference.
Vote Conservative today and support us to get Britain back to work.
At work Nigel Farage‘s statement on the night before the election. The Reform England leader said:
The Tories tried to remove the coward Keir Starmer but failed.
The only way to finally remove the most unpopular and unpatriotic prime minister in our lifetime is to support Reformation.
Together, we can continue the journey to get our great country back on track.
Reform made history and won local elections last year. If you really want change, go out today and vote for him again.
Good morning. Voting has begun in elections that seem like an earthquake. In England, people will elect around 5,000 councilors and six mayors; In Scotland, 129 MSPs are being elected to serve in the new parliament; In Wales, they are electing 96 members of the Senedd (MSs) under a new electoral system, meaning the Senedd has become much larger. There were only 60 AD in the past.
Some English councils will count overnight, but most will start counting tomorrow morning; This is also the date when counting begins in Scotland and Wales.
Here’s a Guardian guide to what’s at stake.
Here’s an article from our data team explaining why the poll shows the results will be particularly difficult for Labour.
And here it is patrick greenfieldA First Edition briefing on five trends to watch out for.
As the day goes on, I will be sharing more about why our results tomorrow have the potential to disrupt British politics.
There probably won’t be much hard news today. But you never know, and there will be room for dogs in the crates too.
For the record, here’s the statement: Keir Starmer A statement was made about the elections overnight.
When you cast your vote today, you are faced with a clear choice. Progress and a better future for the community you call home, with a Labor Council working with a Labor government. Against the anger and division that reform presents or the empty promises of the Greens.
You need politicians who will always stand behind you and your family in difficult times. Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski have shown time and time again that they are unfit to meet this moment of great global instability. Today I make a firm promise to you: Whatever the pressure, Labor will always support you and your family, and we will never stop doing what is in Britain’s national interest.
Steps were taken to alleviate the cost of living. Support our NHS. Support a better future for your local community.
Today, choose unity over division. Vote Labour.
I will publish the statements of other main party leaders shortly.
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