Hundreds of skirmishes will take place for councils, mayoralties and police commissioners.
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The results will give insight into how this year’s General Election fight will shape up.
Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are desperate to show they are a force to be reckoned with – and will be carefully sizing up their chances based on the results.
As a final test for the main parties before the race for No10, they will prove crucial in setting the political weather for the next few months.
Rebel MPs say voting at the local elections is a “do or die” moment for the plot to oust the Prime Minister from No 10.
Experts say the Conservatives could lose between 400 and 500 councillors and their two most popular mayors — Ben Houchen and Andy Street.
Tory plotters are preparing to seize on the results to launch a final push to force Mr Sunak to quit as PM.
If they succeed then Britain could be plunged into a summer general election.
But if they fail with the bid some privately admit that the plot to have a new leader will be over.
Voters must take photo ID to polling stations for the first time today after a law change.
IF GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE A PRIZE FIGHT- LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE MATCH WEIGH IN
By Jack Elsom, Chief Political Correspondent
IF this year’s General Election is shaping up to be a prize political fight, then Thursday’s locals are the all-important pre-match weigh-in.
Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are desperate to show they are a force to be reckoned with – and will be carefully sizing up their chances based on the results.
As a final test for the main parties before the race for No10, they will prove crucial in setting the political weather for the next few months.
While hundreds of skirmishes will take place for councils, mayoralties and police commissioners, there is a particular focus on several battlegrounds.
Mr Sunak wants to show voters – and restless Tory plotters – that he still has scope to close the gap on Sir Keir a shot at reelection.
Whereas the Labour leader will be hoping for the colossal Blair-style swings he needs to overturn the party’s 2019 thrashing.