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They will also be an important test for Nigel Farage and Reform UK of whether their high poll ratings since last summer translate into real votes.
The Tories are also set for a difficult day defending more than 900 council seats across the country while lagging behind both Labour and Reform in most polls.
A key test for all parties will be in the six mayoral contests for the west of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, North Tyneside, Doncaster, Greater Lincolnshire, and Hull and East Yorkshire.
And maybe the biggest test of all will be the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, called because of the departure of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury after his conviction for assault.
Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm.
Party system being disrupted more than ever
Sean O’Grady explains why political leanings are so fragmented:
Jane Dalton1 May 2025 20:59
Every council and mayoral election taking place
Voting in nine places has been postponed until next year. Full details:
Jane Dalton1 May 2025 20:30
Ask our chief political commentator John Rentoul anything in exclusive Q&A
With dozens of councils, mayoralties and a high-stakes parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby up for grabs, the results could reshape the political map in ways that will reverberate far beyond Thursday night.
So, which seats really matter? How much trouble are the Tories in? Can Reform turn headlines into votes? And how fragile is Labour’s new electoral coalition?
Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul live at midday tomorrow as he answers your questions on all the key contests, party strategies, and what the results tell us about Britain’s fast-changing political landscape:
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 19:59
What ID do I need to vote?
Voters heading to the polls today will need to bring a form of ID in order to cast their ballots – and will already need to have registered to vote.
There are more than 20 types of photographic ID which are valid, such as passports, driving licences, older and disabled persons’ bus passes, armed forces veteran cards, and Oyster 60+ cards.
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 19:30
Farage shares hopes for Reform
In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, Nigel Farage claimed he expected Reform to win “two or three” of the six mayoralties up for election today, claiming he was “confident” of a win in Hull and “reasonably confident” of victory in Lincolnshire.
He also said he was “optimistic” about the Runcorn and Helsby by-election but stopped short of predicting a win.
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 19:00
Farage calls for end to funding NHS through taxes – but fails to say how it should be paid for
Nigel Farage has called for an end to the NHS being funded through taxes, but refused to say how it would be paid for instead.
The Reform UK leader sparked fresh fears that patients would be charged for accessing the health service if he won a general election, arguing the current model “does not work”.
In an interview on the eve of the local elections, Mr Farage said: “I do not want it funded through general taxation. It doesn't work. It's not working. We're getting worse bang for the buck than any other country, particularly out of those European neighbours.”
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 18:32
More dogs at polling stations
Dogs have been photographed posing outside polling stations, as their owners encouraged people to do their "civic duty" and vote in the various elections happening across the country.
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 18:01
Labour defending just one council
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Doncaster is the only council Labour is defending at this year’s elections, and the party currently holds 41 of 55 seats here.
On a very bad night for the Labour they could lose overall control of the council to Nigel Farage’s Reform, for whom this is a top target.
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 17:30
Fresh blow for Starmer as Labour grandee hits out at government on immigration
Sir Keir Starmer has been dealt a fresh blow as a second Labour grandee hit out at the party’s policies as polls opened in the local elections.
After Sir Tony Blair criticised western governments for failing to do enough to tackle climate change earlier this week, former education secretary Alan Johnson warned Britain’s world class universities are “under threat” as Labour plans a crackdown on immigration.
Mr Johnson said the higher education sector is facing a “worrying” situation and urged ministers not to “make the mistake” of trying to cut net migration with measures that could “ruin or close” universities.
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell and Whitehall editor Kate Devlin report:
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 17:01
Tories jibe at Labour in Commons over 'net zero' row
Voters will “deliver gains of net zero seats” to Labour at the local elections following the party’s “kamikaze” environmental policies in government, the Tories have claimed.
Shadow minister Paul Holmes highlighted differing views between the government and former prime minister Sir Tony Blair on efforts to limit fossil fuels, before claiming that Labour is “dreading” the results of the elections.
But Commons Leader Lucy Powell countered by accusing the Tories of having a “blinkered vision” on the “opportunity of net zero”, adding that Kemi Badenoch’s leadership of the opposition is being “backseat driven” by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick.
Andy Gregory1 May 2025 16:32
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