LONDON (AA) – Millions of people across the U.K. began voting on Thursday in regional and local elections seen as a key test for Britain’s major parties.
Voters in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were due to elect their new regional assemblies, while council and police commissioner elections were being held elsewhere in England.
Opinion polls suggested the governing Conservative Party was battling to retain the mayoralty in London – one of the most influential political posts in the country.
Meanwhile, the center-left Labour Party was at risk of falling into third place in Scotland behind the nationalist SNP and the Conservatives.
Polling stations opened across Britain at 0700 local time (0600 GMT) and were due to close at 2200 (2100GMT). Counting was scheduled to take place overnight in Scotland and Wales, with results expected the following morning.
Counting in London and Northern Ireland was scheduled to begin early on Friday morning.
