Counting is under way across the United Kingdom after voters cast ballots in elections in England, Scotland and Wales, with the first results expected in the early hours of Friday.

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Initial declarations from English councils are anticipated between midnight and 2am BST. Results from the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary contests are expected later in the day, beginning around midday.

Only a limited number of results will emerge overnight, but early declarations could shape the narrative of the elections and offer clues about broader political shifts.

Early Tests in English Councils

One of the earliest indicators of the night’s political direction may come from Hartlepool, where attention is focused on whether Reform UK can convert strong polling numbers into tangible gains at council level.

Election observers say the town could provide an early measure of the party’s ability to translate support into seats. A strong showing for Reform UK would raise concerns among Labour strategists that the party could become a sustained anti-establishment challenger in areas that once formed part of Labour’s traditional support base.

Oxford is also being watched closely. Analysts say the city may highlight growing fragmentation among voters opposed to the Conservatives, with Labour, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats competing for similar constituencies of support.

Meanwhile, the result in Dudley is seen as a key test in the politically competitive Midlands. The area has experienced shifting voting patterns in recent years, and Labour faces pressure from Reform UK amid voter concerns about immigration, living standards and trust in Westminster politics.

Major Changes to Welsh Parliament

The elections also coincide with a major reform of the Welsh parliament, the Senedd. The chamber is expanding from 60 to 96 members under a new electoral system designed to produce more proportional outcomes.

Opinion polls suggest the change could reshape the political landscape in Wales. Labour, which has governed the Senedd since devolution began in 1999, is widely expected to lose its majority.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is predicted by some forecasts to emerge as the next first minister. Such an outcome would bring renewed attention to the party’s commitment to advancing the case for Welsh independence.

Coalition Scenarios and Close Margins

Even if Reform UK performs strongly in Wales, coalition mathematics make it unlikely the party would be able to form a government. Analysts say Plaid Cymru could instead attempt to govern as a minority administration if the numbers allow, avoiding formal coalition agreements with Labour or the Green Party.

Polls suggest Labour may face substantial losses in the Senedd election. Some projections place the party as low as fourth place, behind the Greens.

There is also speculation that Eluned Morgan, Labour’s current first minister in Wales, could lose her own seat.

The new electoral system introduces additional uncertainty. The revised list method means very small shifts in vote share could determine the final seat allocation in each constituency.

According to the polling group More in Common, margins as small as 0.06% of the vote could decide the final seat — the sixth — in a constituency list, making precise predictions difficult before counting is complete.

Results Expected Through Friday

With counting continuing across multiple elections, officials expect results to emerge gradually through Friday.

While only a small number of English council results will appear overnight, the outcomes from Scotland and Wales later in the day are expected to provide a clearer picture of the political balance across the three nations.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 8 May 2026

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Brilliant election strategist is Nigel...

and then ......

Love the photo .... no white folk in England/Scotland elections!

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Love the photo .... no white folk in England/Scotland elections!

Take another look BritManToo. I know its early but, the 6th head up on the right of the picture is not coloured. I bet he feels out of place though?

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Love the photo .... no white folk in England/Scotland elections!

Having white people in positions of power would be racist. Ask Humza Yousaf.

Cannae have any WHITE people. Ooohh noooo.

Early results coming in. A bloodbath for Labour. 😄

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Counting is under way across the United Kingdom after voters cast ballots in elections in England, Scotland and Wales, with the first results expected in the early hours of Friday.

Get today's headlines by email

Initial declarations from English councils are anticipated between midnight and 2am BST. Results from the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary contests are expected later in the day, beginning around midday.

Only a limited number of results will emerge overnight, but early declarations could shape the narrative of the elections and offer clues about broader political shifts.

Early Tests in English Councils

One of the earliest indicators of the night’s political direction may come from Hartlepool, where attention is focused on whether Reform UK can convert strong polling numbers into tangible gains at council level.

Election observers say the town could provide an early measure of the party’s ability to translate support into seats. A strong showing for Reform UK would raise concerns among Labour strategists that the party could become a sustained anti-establishment challenger in areas that once formed part of Labour’s traditional support base.

Oxford is also being watched closely. Analysts say the city may highlight growing fragmentation among voters opposed to the Conservatives, with Labour, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats competing for similar constituencies of support.

Meanwhile, the result in Dudley is seen as a key test in the politically competitive Midlands. The area has experienced shifting voting patterns in recent years, and Labour faces pressure from Reform UK amid voter concerns about immigration, living standards and trust in Westminster politics.

Major Changes to Welsh Parliament

The elections also coincide with a major reform of the Welsh parliament, the Senedd. The chamber is expanding from 60 to 96 members under a new electoral system designed to produce more proportional outcomes.

Opinion polls suggest the change could reshape the political landscape in Wales. Labour, which has governed the Senedd since devolution began in 1999, is widely expected to lose its majority.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is predicted by some forecasts to emerge as the next first minister. Such an outcome would bring renewed attention to the party’s commitment to advancing the case for Welsh independence.

Coalition Scenarios and Close Margins

Even if Reform UK performs strongly in Wales, coalition mathematics make it unlikely the party would be able to form a government. Analysts say Plaid Cymru could instead attempt to govern as a minority administration if the numbers allow, avoiding formal coalition agreements with Labour or the Green Party.

Polls suggest Labour may face substantial losses in the Senedd election. Some projections place the party as low as fourth place, behind the Greens.

There is also speculation that Eluned Morgan, Labour’s current first minister in Wales, could lose her own seat.

The new electoral system introduces additional uncertainty. The revised list method means very small shifts in vote share could determine the final seat allocation in each constituency.

According to the polling group More in Common, margins as small as 0.06% of the vote could decide the final seat — the sixth — in a constituency list, making precise predictions difficult before counting is complete.

Results Expected Through Friday

With counting continuing across multiple elections, officials expect results to emerge gradually through Friday.

While only a small number of English council results will appear overnight, the outcomes from Scotland and Wales later in the day are expected to provide a clearer picture of the political balance across the three nations.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 8 May 2026

View full article

I still got hope to believe in Britain as a democracy and wouldn't fall for the propaganda of Nazi-Farage turning Britain into a failed State like US.

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I still got hope to believe in Britain as a democracy and wouldn't fall for the propaganda of Nazi-Farage turning Britain into a failed State like US.

Will you accept the democratic vote if Reform win ?

It won’t be long and the historically WASP countries of the EU will be wiped from history because of their weak, feckless leadership. What a shame to lose control due to greed and wanton disregard for history.

26 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I still got hope to believe in Britain as a democracy and wouldn't fall for the propaganda of Nazi-Farage turning Britain into a failed State like US.

It's a failed state now. And that's nothing to do with Nigel

2 minutes ago, lavender19 said:

It's a failed state now. And that's nothing to do with Nigel

I don't agree

24 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Will you accept the democratic vote if Reform win ?

Silly question ❗

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Silly question ❗

Why is it a silly question ?

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Silly question ❗

Bread and butter for AN ?

32 minutes ago, RMK54 said:

It won’t be long and the historically WASP countries of the EU will be wiped from history because of their weak, feckless leadership. What a shame to lose control due to greed and wanton disregard for history.

All past civilizations have fallen in roughly the same way.

37 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Will you accept the democratic vote if Reform win ?

Lefties only believe in democracy when they're winning.

5 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Why is it a silly question ?

Because it's in your genes to ask silly questions

4 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Bread and butter for AN ?

You nailed it. Thanks 👍

7 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Because it's in your genes to ask silly questions

Its not in your genes to answer genuine questions .

You applaud democracy, then go onto hint that you wouldn't accept the democratic vote 🙂

15 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Lefties only believe in democracy when they're winning.

Um, looking at Usofa now that would be no different from Righties?

It's a failed state now. And that's nothing to do with Nigel

Farage is a reaction to the failure, not a cause.

Edit: So are Trump and MAGA, BTW...

Edited May 8May 8 by impulse

UK elections don't have secret ballots. Each ballot has a unique code which is entered against the voters elector number, making it possible to look up who a person voted for.

I hope ReformUK wins and then looks up all the Labor voters and does something like freeze their bank accounts.

3 hours ago, davb said:

UK elections don't have secret ballots. Each ballot has a unique code which is entered against the voters elector number, making it possible to look up who a person voted for.

I hope ReformUK wins and then looks up all the Labor voters and does something like freeze their bank accounts.

Nigel's suggestion about promising to accommodate the illegal's in the constituencies that vote for the leftist parties was pure genius.

The reform voters really don't want any illegal immigrants in their areas and what with the lefties continually chanting " refugees are welcome here" naturally it seemed like the perfect solution.

So , I was really surprised at the hysterical reaction of several lefty MPs who, along with the constituents who voted for them, would stand to benefit the most from the increased diversity they are always calling for.

It would appear that refugees, in reality, are not actually that welcome in the leftys own neighbourhoods at all, (surprise surprise) in fact several lefty MPs unbelievably, went as far as accusing Nigel of effectively "threatening to punish" those voting for the leftist parties by making such a suggestion. I would have expected a bit more gratitude , there's just no pleasing some folk

12 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Nigel's suggestion about promising to accommodate the illegal's in the constituencies that vote for the leftist parties was pure genius.

The reform voters really don't want any illegal immigrants in their areas and what with the lefties continually chanting " refugees are welcome here" naturally it seemed like the perfect solution.

So , I was really surprised at the hysterical reaction of several lefty MPs who, along with the constituents who voted for them, would stand to benefit the most from the increased diversity they are always calling for.

It would appear that refugees, in reality, are not actually that welcome in the leftys own neighbourhoods at all, (surprise surprise) in fact several lefty MPs unbelievably, went as far as accusing Nigel of effectively "threatening to punish" those voting for the leftist parties by making such a suggestion. I would have expected a bit more gratitude , there's just no pleasing some folk

I like when they are approached at protests and asked to sign up to take an immigrant in.

Then the excuses flow. 😄 Its pure virtue signalling.

Good to see Starmer getting rogered in these elections. And I'm not referring to the Ukranian twinks.

Turns out calling the working class 'far right racists' for the last 20 months wasn't the best idea🤔

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I like when they are approached at protests and asked to sign up to take an immigrant in.

Then the excuses flow. 😄 Its pure virtue signalling.

Good to see Starmer getting rogered in these elections. And I'm not referring to the Ukranian twinks.

I have never seen one of them agree to house a migrant , I don't blame any of them for that , I wouldn't have a refugee or an illegal living in my house either, but its their hypocrisy that sickens me,

As for Starmer the guy, along with the entire labour party, has actually become a laughing stock, in fact, Starmer himself is well on the way to becoming a "national treasure" which is hardly a compliment for a prime minister.

He'll be gone soon for sure, but remembered forever albeit for the wrong reasons. The annoying thing is all the benefits he will get as a result of his failed premiership, plus he will no doubt be able to waltz into a well paid "non" job at Davos or some international law firm. I hope so for his sake, as I really can't imagine him being very popular on the public speaking circuit

Is it just bare faced stubbornness on his part keeping him in his position? or might somebody be encouraging him, egging him on, so to speak ? Who on earth might that be ? i can only think of his missis, surely nobody else would do such a thing. Although having said that I can think of at least one on here who would support him , can you guess who I'm thinking of ? I'll give you a clue ..."C. H"

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

Although having said that I can think of at least one on here who would support him , can you guess who I'm thinking of ? I'll give you a clue ..."C. H"

Prediction :

"He failed because the Conservatives left the County in a terrible state with 200 Billion Black hole in the economy "

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Prediction :

"He failed because the Conservatives left the County in a terrible state with 200 Billion Black hole in the economy "

But but but Boris ate cake.

9 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Having white people in positions of power would be racist. Ask Humza Yousaf.

Cannae have any WHITE people. Ooohh noooo.

Early results coming in. A bloodbath for Labour. 😄

Correct Sir... the UK swopped valuing competence for box-ticking long ago, hence the decline into the toilet, and all in the name of far-lefty nonsense.

All appointments in any field or profession should be strictly made on meritocracy so that the most capable person gets the job regardless, like it used to be... otherwise you perpetuate incompetence into the system.

Ever wondered why the last two generations are more useless and poor than everyone that has come before them? It's because meritocracy has stopped being enacted and woke nonsense has... go figure.

The last two generations have learned nothing because they don't need to due to them having a device in their pockets that has the entire world's information at the cue of a search. Why bother to learn and be capable? The more technology you give them and allow AI to dominate the more stupid and useless kids will become... this has never happened before.

Remember that 2006 film "Idiocracy"... on the way.

No wonder they wanted to cancel the elections.

Next step might be a call for a rerun. Where are you Ray? How could you justify attacking Democracy this time?

The People's council elections?

They didn’t know what they were voting for?

What does local really mean? What type of council was on the ballot paper?

😄😄

Edited May 8May 8 by JonnyF

1 hour ago, Sir Dude said:

All appointments in any field or profession should be strictly made on meritocracy so that the most capable person gets the job regardless, like it used to be... otherwise you perpetuate incompetence into the system.

as demonstrated by the quality of the current government the publics reaction to this has now, eventually, been clearly indicated Could things be any worse ?