Millions of voters across England headed to polling stations on Thursday, May 7, for the most significant electoral test for political parties since Labour's general election victory in July 2024. Nearly 25,000 candidates contested over 5,000 seats on 136 councils, with Reform UK fielding around 4,800 candidates—just under Labour's total and about 50 more than the Conservatives. The Greens put forward almost 4,500 candidates, the Liberal Democrats nearly 4,000, and over 2,000 others represented minor parties, independents, or residents' groups.
Key Battlegrounds and Defences
Labour defended approximately 2,500 seats, facing potential losses that could challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Conservatives defended 1,236 seats, the Liberal Democrats 706, the Greens 194, and Reform UK just 83—mostly from by-election victories or deflections since the last council elections. Major cities including London held elections, alongside rural districts and county councils. This is the largest set of local elections in England in three years, with over half the seats defended by Labour, reflecting its strength in London and metropolitan boroughs, while the Tories defended just over a quarter—a shift from last year when the Conservatives defended the most county council seats.
Mayoral and Devolved Elections
Mayoral contests took place in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets (London), and Watford (Hertfordshire). Polling stations were open from 7am to 10pm on May 7, with first results expected within hours and the final declaration by Saturday evening, May 9. All mayoral counts occur on Friday, May 8: Hackney and Newham at 1pm, Watford at 2pm, Lewisham at 3pm, Croydon at 4pm, and Tower Hamlets around 6pm. Simultaneously, elections are held for the Welsh and Scottish parliaments.
Where to Find Results
As counts begin, a live map will track every seat across England, Wales, and Scotland. For the Welsh Parliament, estimated declaration times include: Afan Ogwr Rhondda at 3.30pm, Bangor Conwy Mon at 3pm, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni at 3pm, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd at 3pm, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf at 3pm, Caerdydd Penarth at 3pm, Casnewydd Islwyn at 2pm, Ceredigion Penfro at 3pm, Clwyd at 3pm, Fflint Wrecsam at 5.30pm, Gwyr Abertawe at 2pm, Gwynedd Maldwyn at 3.30pm, Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg at 3pm, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr at 4pm, Sir Fynwy Torfaen at 2pm, and Sir Gaerfyrddin at 4pm. For the Scottish Parliament, estimated times include: Aberdeen Central at 3.30pm, Aberdeen Deeside & North Kincardine at 3.30pm, Aberdeen Donside at 3.30pm, Aberdeenshire East at 3.30pm, Aberdeenshire West at 3.30pm, Airdrie at 12pm, Almond Valley at 2pm, Angus North & Mearns at 4pm, Angus South at 4pm, Argyll & Bute at 3pm, Ayr at 1pm, Banffshire & Buchan Coast at 3.30pm, Bathgate at 2pm, Caithness, Sutherland & Ross at 4pm, Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley at 4pm, Clackmannanshire & Dunblane at 4pm, Clydebank & Milngavie at 5pm, Clydesdale at 4pm, Coatbridge & Chryston at 1pm, Cowdenbeath at 3pm, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth at 2pm, Cunninghame North at 2.30pm, Cunninghame South at 2.30pm, Dumbarton at 5pm, Dumfriesshire at 3.30pm, Dundee City East at 4pm, Dundee City West at 4pm, Dunfermline at 4pm, East Kilbride at 4pm, East Lothian Coast & Lammermuirs at 3pm, Eastwood at 4pm, Edinburgh Central at 3pm, Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh & Tranent at 3pm, Edinburgh North Eastern & Leith at 3pm, Edinburgh Northern at 3pm, Edinburgh North Western at 3pm, Edinburgh Southern at 3pm, Edinburgh South Western at 3pm, Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire at 4.30pm, Falkirk East & Linlithgow at 4.30pm, Falkirk West at 4pm, Fife Mid & Glenrothes at 3pm, Fife North East at 3pm, Galloway & Dumfries West at 3.30pm, Glasgow Anniesland at 2.15pm, Glasgow Baillieston & Shettleston at 2.45pm, Glasgow Cathcart & Pollock at 3.45pm, Glasgow Central at 3pm, Glasgow Easterhouse & Springburn at 2.30pm, Glasgow Kelvin & Maryhill at 3.30pm, Glasgow Southside at 3.15pm, Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse at 4pm, Inverclyde at 4.30pm, Inverness & Nairn at 6.30pm, Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley at 4pm, Kirkcaldy at 3pm, Midlothian North at 4pm, Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale at 4.30pm, Moray at 2pm, Motherwell & Wishaw at 3pm, Na h-Eileanan an Iar at 1.30pm, Orkney Islands at 2.30pm, Paisley at 3pm, Perthshire North at 2pm, Perthshire South & Kinross-shire at 2pm, Renfrewshire North & Cardonald at 3pm, Renfrewshire West & Levern Valley at 3pm, Rutherglen & Cambuslang at 4pm, Shetland Islands at 2.30pm, Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch at 6.30pm, Stirling at 4pm, Strathkelvin & Bearsden at 2pm, Uddingston & Bellshill at 4pm, and Edinburgh & Lothians East at 6pm.
