The May 7 elections represent the largest set of contests in the UK since the 2024 general election. When polls close at 10pm on Thursday, most ballot boxes will be stored until Friday morning, when counting begins for the majority of contests. Some councils in England will declare overnight, offering early clues about party performance, particularly whether Labour and the Conservatives face challenges from smaller parties.
Thursday 10pm: Polls Close
Of the 136 local authorities in England holding elections, 46 will count and declare overnight. Most others will declare later on Friday, with a few finishing on Saturday. All Scottish Parliament and Senedd results will be counted and declared on Friday.
Friday 1am: Early Declarations
Most overnight councils have only a third or half of seats up for grabs. Councils with large majorities, like Broxbourne (Conservative) and Halton (Labour), are unlikely to change control. However, councils with slim majorities, such as Harlow (Conservative) and Redditch (Labour), may slip into no overall control if others make gains.
Friday 2am: Labour Defences Tested
Labour defends majorities at Hartlepool and Lincoln. The Liberal Democrats face a test at Hull, where they hold a tiny majority. Wigan, the first Metropolitan borough to finish, sees only a third of seats up. Labour's large majority there means they retain control even if they lose all defended seats.
Friday 3am: Key Battles in North-West England
Salford, another Greater Manchester council, finishes counting. Like Wigan, only a third of seats are up, and Labour's majority is safe. These councils provide early signs of Reform and Green gains. Less safe for Labour is Tameside, where a slim majority could vanish amid a Reform surge. Labour may also struggle in Exeter and Reading. Around 3.30am, Westminster becomes the first London council to finish, with all seats up. Historically Conservative since 1964, Labour won a tiny majority in 2022. The result shows whether the Tories recover support or smaller parties cause no overall control.
Friday 4am: County and London Results
Hampshire, a Conservative stronghold since 1997, is the first county council to declare. In London, results come from Ealing (Labour), Sutton (Lib Dems), and Wandsworth (Labour), where Greens may gain. Newcastle under Lyme, with all seats up, reveals if the Tories keep their overall majority.
Friday 5am: Final Overnight Declarations
Six London councils still to declare: Bexley, Hammersmith & Fulham, Havering, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, and Richmond upon Thames. Bexley is Reform's top London target; Havering also sees Reform challenges. In Merton, the Lib Dems may take enough Labour seats to cause no overall control.
Friday 9am: Counting Resumes
Counting begins for Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections, 86 English local authorities, and six mayoral contests.
Friday 1pm: First Scottish and Mayoral Results
Scottish constituency results like Airdrie, Ayr, and Coatbridge & Chryston are expected. The first mayoral result from Hackney, east London, sees Labour defending against the Greens. Newham's mayoral result is also due, another Labour defence. Manchester, with a third of seats up, remains Labour due to a huge majority.
Friday 2pm: More English Declarations
Results from Hyndburn, Preston, Rochdale, and St Helens are due. These councils have Labour majorities, but Preston and St Helens could slip into no overall control. The Lib Dems aim to keep Cheltenham council and the Watford mayoralty.
Friday 3pm: Scottish and Welsh Progress
Scottish constituency results come in fast, though most are SNP wins. Regional results, using proportional voting, are expected later. First Welsh declarations are due under a new system of 16 super-constituencies, such as Casnewydd Islwyn and Gwyr Abertawe. In London, Labour defends huge majorities at Islington and Waltham Forest against Greens and Reform. Labour also defends smaller majorities at Knowsley and Leeds, where only a third of seats are up. Solihull, with all seats up, sees the Tories defending a tiny majority. The Lewisham mayoral result is due, another Labour target for the Greens.
Friday 4pm: Results Accelerate
Around 40 English councils finish counting in the next couple of hours. Labour's long-held majority at Sunderland could end if Reform wins. Full results from Barnsley and Gateshead, Labour strongholds since 1973, are due, along with Bury, Crawley, Greenwich, Ipswich, Trafford, and Wolverhampton. The Tories learn if they hold Suffolk and West Sussex county councils. The Croydon mayoral result, a Tory defence, is also due.
Friday 5pm: London and County Results
London councils held by Labour finish counting: Barnet (Tories hope to regain), Hackney (Green target), and Redbridge (Reform and independents). Labour may keep majorities at Coventry, Milton Keynes, Sandwell, and Sefton, all with full seats up. Two Tory-run county councils, Essex and Norfolk, face Reform challenges. In Scotland, regional results are announced, where Greens and Reform hope for success.
Friday 6pm: Mayoral and New Authorities
The Tower Hamlets mayoral result is due, where Lutfur Rahman of Aspire seeks another term. Two new shadow councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, finish declarations, replacing Surrey county council in 2027. Further London results from Newham and Lambeth may bring mixed news for Labour. Birmingham, the largest council, could move from Labour majority to no overall control.
Friday 7pm: Final English Results
Last results from England include Bromley (Conservative defence against Reform) and Calderdale (Labour defends slim majority). All Scottish and Welsh results are scheduled by Friday evening, though counting may continue late.
Saturday 9am: Final Declarations
Counting continues at Bradford, Croydon, Lewisham, and Tower Hamlets.
Saturday 4pm: Bradford, Croydon, Lewisham
Full results for Bradford, Croydon, and Lewisham are due. Labour defends a wafer-thin majority in Bradford against Reform, Greens, and independents. In Lewisham, Labour has a huge majority but Greens hope to gain. Croydon may remain hung.
Saturday 6pm: Tower Hamlets Final Result
Tower Hamlets is the last council to declare, where Aspire hopes to repeat its 2022 success and secure a majority.
