Today voters go to the polls to vote in the local elections — with the results beginning to emerge in the early hours of Friday morning. The event has been somewhat overshadowed by Theresa May’s decision to go for an early general election. However, the results will give us some indication of what to expect on June 8th.
Below is a guide of what to look out for and when:
3am
Welsh council results
What to look out for: Any signs of the demise of Labour in Wales — this could take the shape of the Tories and/or Liberal Democrats winning seats from Welsh Labour.
Conservative-held councils in England
What to look out for: Any gains for the Liberal Democrats in the West Country will prove a worry to the government and be early signs of a Lib Dem revival in one of their traditional strong holds.
Essex council results
What to look out for: Ukip made significant gains here in 2013. If these seats fall back to the Tories it would suggest Ukip is coming unstuck.
4am
Northumberland county council
What to look out for: Labour are fighting to stay the largest party on Northumberland county council. If they were to lose that tag to the Conservatives it would be a big blow to the party — and a bad sign of things to come.
5am
West of England mayoralty
What to look out for: Tories expected to win, but a Lib Dem or Labour victory is not out of the question.
The Doncaster mayoralty
What to look out for: Labour are expected to win by a large majority — any upset here would be very significant.
8am
Cumbria council
What to look out for: Labour are, once more, fighting to remain the largest party. If the Conservatives were to overtake here (and the Copeland by-election suggests it’s not outside the realm of possibility) it would be a bad omen for Labour — the council was last led by the Conservatives in 1981.
2pm
Scottish councils
What to look out for: Labour are forecast to lose to the SNP in the Lothians and Renfrewshire. The Conservatives are looking to make gains in Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. This will be an early indicator of whether the Scottish Conservatives are on course for a significant comeback on June 8.
English councils, notably Cornwall
What to look out for: In Cornwall, it’s a battle between the Lib Dems and Conservatives — and, again, will offer an early indicator of whether the Liberals can mount a comeback.
3pm
Liverpool mayoralty
What to look out for: Labour MP — and Corbynite — Steve Rotheram is expected to be elected first Liverpool region mayor. If he is, Liverpool Walton seat will become open for the June election, as a Labour safe seat (a rare thing nowadays), it will be in demand.
4pm
Glasgow council
What to look out for: Can the SNP take Glasgow off Labour? This is what is predicted, and if it goes as planned it will be a historic loss for the beleaguered party.
North Tyneside and Tees Valley mayoralties
What to look out for: Labour are on course to win both, any other result would be an upset.
5pm
Nottinghamshire council
What to look out for: The Tories are vying to take control of the council, which would be a big disappointment for Labour.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoralty
What to look out for: The Conservatives are expected to win but a big vote share for the Lib Dems would fuel talk of a Lib Dem fightback in the general election.
6pm
West Midlands and Greater Manchester mayoralties
What to look out for: Can Andy Street — once seen as an outsider in the race — win the West Midlands mayoralty? This is what the bookies’ are now saying — and if he succeeds it would be a crushing disappointment to Labour and its candidate, Sion Simon.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is expected to win the Greater Manchester mayoral for Labour. He is predicted to win big, so it is worth keeping an eye on the vote share.
Kent council
What to look out for: This is the big test for Ukip. Ukip councillors made significant gains in 2013, and will be looking to hold on. If they lose their seats to Tories, June does not bode well for them.
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