Campaigning across Britain is entering the final days of an electoral race that could have major ramifications for politics in the UK, and perhaps the Union itself.
In Scotland, the stakes are high in the Scottish parliamentary elections.
SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been clear that a majority for her party should be rewarded with a second independence referendum.
But that would put her on a collision course with the Prime Minister, who vehemently opposes “IndyRef2”.
What is super Thursday?
About 48 million people are eligible to vote on what has been dubbed “super Thursday” and which is taking place against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayors and councils will be selected in England, while parliaments will be chosen in Wales and Scotland, where a majority for nationalists would provoke a fresh drive for independence.
Here is a guide to the likely declaration times of the results for the elections taking place on May 6 – Super Thursday – in England, Scotland and Wales.
All timings are based on the latest available information and are subject to change.
Thursday May 6
– 10pm: Polls close across Britain. Counting begins for the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election, Doncaster mayor and 19 of 143 councils in England.
Friday May 7
– From 2am: First results likely from the 19 councils in England counting overnight.
– 4am to 6am: Hartlepool by-election result expected.
– By 6am: Doncaster mayoral result.
– From around 9am: Counting begins in all seats for the Welsh Parliament, seven of the 14 constituencies for the London Assembly, 46 of the 73 constituencies for the Scottish Parliament, 79 councils in England, three of the 39 elections for police and crime commissioners, and the election for Liverpool mayor. No results are likely during the morning.
– From 12pm: First results expected from the 79 councils in England and 46 Scottish parliamentary constituencies counting on Friday.
– From 2pm: Liverpool mayoral result.
– From 3pm: First results likely from Wales. All results for the Welsh Parliament are due to be declared by late Friday evening.
– From mid-afternoon: First results from London. The seven constituencies being counted on Friday are Bexley & Bromley, Brent & Harrow, Ealing & Hillingdon, Havering & Redbridge, Lambeth & Southwark, North East and West Central. Results are also due for the police and crime commissioners for Avon and Somerset and Staffordshire.
– From 7pm: Final results from Wales, along with any remaining results from the 46 of 73 Scottish parliamentary constituencies counting on Friday. The result is also due for the Derbyshire police and crime commissioner.
Saturday May 8
– From around 9am: Counting resumes. In London, the remaining seven assembly constituencies will begin counting, after which the London-wide seats will be allocated.
In Scotland, all remaining constituency seats will be counted, after which the regional seats will be allocated.
A total of 35 councils in England are due to count their results on Saturday, along with at least 11 of the 39 police and crime commissioners.
Counts will also begin in the mayoral elections for Bristol, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, London, North Tyneside, Salford, the West of England and the West Midlands.
– From 12pm: First results due from the 35 councils in England counting on Saturday. Results from Scotland should also resume. The results for the Liverpool City Region, North Tyneside and West of England mayors are likely.
– From mid-afternoon: Results due from the seven remaining London Assembly constituencies: Barnet & Camden, City & East, Croydon & Sutton, Enfield & Haringey, Greenwich & Lewisham, Merton & Wandsworth and South West. Results for 11 police and crime commissioners are likely. The results for the Greater Manchester, Salford and West Midlands mayors are also due.
– From early evening: Results for the London-wide seats in the assembly should be calculated and published. The result for the London mayoral election is also due. The Bristol mayoral result is likely.
Final results are likely for the Scottish Parliament, including all the regional seats.
Sunday May 9
– From around 9am: Any possible late declarations from Scotland or London. In England, 10 councils are due to start counting. Votes will also be counted for the West Yorkshire mayor, and for the police and crime commissioners in Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and North Wales.
– From 12pm: Results are due from 10 councils in England and for the West Yorkshire mayor. Results for the police and crime commissioners in Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and North Wales are likely later in the afternoon.
Monday May 10
– From around 9am: Counting will begin in all remaining police and crime commissioner elections – likely to be at least 10 contests – along with any remaining councils in England. Results for the commissioners are likely to be declared in the afternoon.
Tuesday May 11
– If any elections are delayed significantly by recounts or other issues, there is a chance some results might not be declared until Tuesday.
Likely local election result times in Scotland by consituency
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