04 May 2023 , 05:00
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Polling stations across England are now open as both PM Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer face a major electoral test.
Across the country over 8,000 are up for grabs in 230 councils and voters will have until 10pm to cast their ballots.
The contests were last held in the dying days of Theresa May's Government in 2019 with the Tories suffering heavy losses.
Despite starting from a low-point, Rishi Sunak's faltering party still has the most to lose as they defend 3,290 of the council seats up for grabs.
Labour meanwhile is defending 2,062 seats while the Liberal Democrats defend 1,205.
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Last month experts warned the Tories risked losing around 1,000 seats - but recent forecasts have suggested the party's losses could be more limited.
Electoral Calculus, which is a member of the British Polling Council, predicts the Tories will forfeit 258 council seats.
The elections today will be a key test for both Rishi Sunak and Keir StarmerSpeaking on Wednesday evening Mr Sunak said the local elections would likely prove "tough" for the Tories after last year's turmoil in the party's ranks.
Mr Starmer will also be hoping to scoop hundreds of seats - translating the party's national poll lead into victories at the ballot box.
In an article for The Mirror the Labour leader urged the public "to send a message to this failed Government and this out-of-touch Prime Minister".
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"That after 13 years of failure, Britain deserves better. That it's time for change".
In a statement last night, the Liberal Democrats also claimed the Tories are in for a "big shock" on polling day. "The Liberal Democrats are now on the cusp of causing a major political upset," deputy leader Daisy Cooper said.
She added: "From Michael Gove ’s backyard in Surrey to Theresa May ’s in Windsor and Maidenhead, it is now neck and neck between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrat’s.
"There is no longer any such thing as a safe Blue Wall seat for a Conservative MP."
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No votes are being held in Scotland or Wales while elections will be held in Northern Ireland in two weeks time, on May 18.
But under controversial new rules voters in England - for the first time - will have to present photo ID in order to cast their ballot or risk being turned away.
The Electoral Commission has estimated that about 4% of Britain's population are unlikely to have a valid form of photo ID to vote - the equivalent of just over two million people.
Only certain types will be accepted, including a passport, driving licence photocard, blue badge, and an older person's bus pass.
It must be the original document and not a photocopy.
Here is a list of accepted ID from the Electoral Commision:
- Voter Authority Certificate
- UK Passport
- A passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- A UK driving licence
- Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by UK Government
- Oyster 60+ Card funded by UK Government
- Freedom Pass
- An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Anonymous elector's document
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