Politics

Millions of voters head to polls in regional, local elections across UK

London, May 6 (EFE).- Millions of people are voting in a raft of regional and local elections in the United Kingdom on Thursday with London’s mayor Sadiq Khan and Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon both looking to hold onto their posts.

Elections are being held for the devolved parliaments of Scotland and Wales, for the Westminster constituency of Hartlepool in northern England, the London mayorship and 143 English councils in what is being referred to as ‘Super Thursday’ in the UK.

The Labour Party’s Sadiq Khan looks set to hold onto his post as Mayor of London, according to opinion polls.

Speaking to Efe on Wednesday, Khan said he would study a fresh bid for the Olympic Games in 2036 or 2040 if re-elected.

Opinion polling for the elections in Scotland paints a less clear picture, with the current majority of the pro-independence Scottish National Party seemingly on a knife-edge.

The SNP are eyeing a majority to push for a second independence referendum, permission for which would need to be granted by Westminster.

The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, faces one of his biggest tests yet in the northern English constituency of Hartlepool, where, according to recent surveys, Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party is poised to take over the traditionally Labour seat in a by-election.

Due to delays caused by Covid-19 restrictions, the results for the series of UK elections are due to be published in stages between Friday and Monday, although the final tally for London, Scotland and most of the English councils should be clear by Saturday.

Some 48 million people are eligible to vote in the various polls. EFE

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