UK Parties Make Final Appeals Before Election Day

Political parties across the United Kingdom have delivered their final campaign messages ahead of elections taking place in England, Scotland and Wales, with voting set to begin on Thursday.

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The elections will decide control of the Scottish and Welsh devolved governments, as well as dozens of councils and mayoral positions across England. Polling stations will open from 0700 BST to 2200 BST on 7 May, with results expected from Friday and continuing through the weekend.

The contests represent the first major nationwide electoral test since Labour won the 2024 general election.

Voting Across the UK

Voters in Scotland and Wales will choose representatives for their respective national legislatures, determining which parties will form the devolved administrations.

In England, voters will decide seats on numerous local councils and select several regional mayors. These bodies oversee local services including education, social care, waste collection and public transport.

Opinion polls suggest the elections may highlight a further fragmentation of the political landscape across the UK, with support spread among several parties rather than concentrated in a few.

Key Battles in Scotland and Wales

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party is seeking to remain in power by securing a fifth consecutive victory in devolved elections. The party faces competition from Labour and Reform UK.

In Wales, Labour’s long-standing dominance could be challenged. The party has governed the Welsh administration since devolution began in 1999, but current polling suggests a close contest.

Reform UK and Plaid Cymru are competing to become the largest party in the Welsh Senedd, raising the prospect of significant changes to the political balance there.

Stakes for Labour in England

Labour also faces potential setbacks in England, where it currently leads or controls many of the councils being contested. Analysts say the party could lose ground to both Reform UK and the Green Party in some areas.

Beyond local governance, the results may also serve as an indicator of public opinion toward the national government led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer’s leadership has faced pressure in recent months, and some observers have speculated that poor results for Labour could fuel calls for a challenge within the party.

Party Leaders Deliver Final Messages

Party leaders spent Wednesday making their final appeals to voters.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, Starmer said the elections offered a clear choice for voters between “unity or division” and what he described as progress versus “the politics of anger”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party was the “only serious party”, pointing to Conservative plans aimed at boosting economic activity, including proposals related to North Sea energy production and tax reductions.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party could counter the rise of Reform UK in communities across England. Speaking in Surrey, he emphasised local issues such as healthcare access, sewage pollution and the cost of living.

Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski said his party was offering “hope and a plan”, highlighting policies including wealth taxes and measures aimed at reducing household bills.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage repeated the party’s campaign slogan calling for voters to “get Starmer out”, presenting Reform as an alternative to both major parties.

In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney urged voters to support the Scottish National Party, saying it would continue to focus on improving public services and addressing cost-of-living pressures while pursuing another referendum on Scottish independence.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Welsh election was closely contested. In a video message to supporters, he described his party as focused solely on the interests of Wales.

Results Expected From Friday

With campaigning now concluding, attention will turn to voter turnout and the distribution of support across the UK’s increasingly diverse political field.

The results, due to emerge from Friday onwards, are expected to provide an early measure of public sentiment toward the government and opposition parties ahead of future national elections.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 May 2026