Almost all results are in from council elections across England, in the last big test of public opinion before a general election. The Conservative Party has emerged victorious in key areas, securing wins in London, Manchester, and a close victory in the West Midlands mayor race. Labour's Richard Parker managed to beat Andy Street after a wave of losses for the Tories in local and mayoral elections. With an estimated 25% vote share, the Tory performance matches the nadir reached under John Major in 1995.
Boris Johnson has said he tried to use a magazine about politics as voter ID when he turned up to the polls this week. Despite this comedic blunder, the Tories have demonstrated their resilience in the face of mounting challenges. However, the UK's political landscape is undergoing significant changes, with debates around devolution gaining momentum.
The UK is too centralised, but experiments with devolution are in their infancy and still have mixed results. While the Tories celebrate their victories, questions about the future of local governance and power distribution within the UK remain unanswered. Voters can cast their ballots for local councillors, mayors, and police and crime commissioners, signaling a growing interest in local politics.