England goes to the polls as parties do battle

More than 150 councils are up for grabs in the first test of electoral opinion since Theresa May lost her majority last June.

Thursday 3 May 2018 22:06, UK

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses at a polling station after casting his vote in local elections in London
Image: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses at a polling station after casting his vote in local elections in London
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Polls are open in local elections across England in the first test of public opinion since last year's snap general election.

The Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems - and other smaller parties or residents groups - are battling it out to either keep hold of or take control of more than 150 councils across the country.

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, with those queuing when the venues close still able to vote.

The majority of councils will declare votes overnight, but some will release results during the day on Friday.

Theresa May and her husband Philip arrive to vote in local government elections in London
Image: Theresa May and her husband Philip arrive to vote in local government elections in London

Mayoral elections are also taking place in Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford.

:: All you need to know about the local elections

Voters across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster are choosing a regional Sheffield City Region Mayor for the first time.

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Five councils are trialling a voter ID scheme to crack down on electoral fraud.

A polling station in Sheffield
Image: A polling station in Sheffield

Voters in Swindon and Watford have to present their poll card, or if it has been mislaid, photo ID such as a driving licence or passport.

In Woking, voters have to provide photo ID such as a driving licence or bus pass.

Constituents in Bromley and Gosport have to show photo ID or two forms of ID, including one with an address on.

:: Paste BN will bring you live coverage of the local election results on web, mobile and TV tonight and throughout Friday. A live blog will be running throughout the night while a special programme will provide analysis of the results as they come in hour-by-hour.

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