Polling day for the UK’s biggest election since 2024 has officially begun.
Millions are expected to cast their vote today for their local council, with results expected to be devastating for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
MPs are reportedly preparing to oust him following the results, with demands for him to set a date for his departure.
Some 1,850 Labour seats are predicted to be lost across England. In Wales, the party is set to lose the national vote for the first time in more than a century.
Starmer has admitted the elections will be a ‘a challenge’ but has urged voters to ‘choose unity over division’.
He said: ‘In tough times, you need politicians who will always stand up for you and your family. Time and again Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski have shown they are not fit to meet this moment of great global instability.
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‘Today I pledge firmly to you: whatever the pressure, Labour will always back you and your family and we will never waver from doing what is in Britain’s national interest.
‘Today, choose unity over division. Vote Labour.’
In his final message, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hit out at Sir Keir, branding him ‘gutless’ and accused the Tories of failing to remove the ‘unpatriotic’ Prime Minister.
He added: ‘Together, we can continue the journey of getting our great country back on track.
‘Reform made history and won the local elections last year. If you really want change, go out and vote for it again today.’
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he will lead his party to ‘record-breaking local elections’ and ‘win more councillors than ever before’.
He added: ‘In Wales, we are confident – but not complacent – of a historic breakthrough in the Senedd elections.
‘Greens are the only party taking the cost-of-living crisis seriously, with real plans to cut bills, reduce rents and provide genuinely affordable homes.
‘It’s a message that has been received positively on the doorstep, but now we have to to turn that warm sentiment into hard-won votes at the ballot box.’
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