The biggest UK election day since the 2024 general vote has wrapped up, and millions are now glued to their screens waiting for the verdict. Counting is underway across England, Scotland and Wales, with new mayors, councillors and members of two national parliaments to be confirmed. The picture is changing fast, and a few political earthquakes are already shaking the map.
England Counts Slow Down As Results Trickle In
In England, around 5,000 seats across 136 councils are being decided, along with six mayoral contests in Watford and the London boroughs of Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
Unlike past years, only a handful of authorities began counting late on Thursday night. Most opened their ballot boxes on Friday morning, which has stretched the timeline for declarations.
The first English results were called in the early hours of Friday, but the bulk of councils are expected to declare through the day, with the final totals likely by Saturday evening.
Mayoral races usually take longer because of the volume of ballots involved. Watford and the five London boroughs are all expected to have new mayors confirmed before the weekend ends.
Scotland Holyrood Results Expected Through Friday Night
North of the border, the stakes are huge. Voters are choosing 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, with the SNP fighting to hold off a strong challenge.
Counting started on Friday morning across Scotland’s 73 constituencies and eight regional lists. Each count is run by a local returning officer, so timings can shift if recounts are called.
Officials say the shape of the new Holyrood should become clear by early Friday evening. However, in tight regions, some seats may not be declared until late at night, with a small number possibly slipping into Saturday.
- Polls closed: 10pm Thursday, 7 May
- Counting began: 9am Friday, 8 May
- First constituency results: Friday afternoon
- Final regional list seats: Late Friday night or early Saturday
Wales Faces A Brand New Voting System
Wales is running its first election under a completely overhauled system, and that is shaking up everything voters thought they knew.
The Senedd has expanded from 60 to 96 members. Voters across 16 brand new constituencies are choosing six representatives each, using closed list proportional representation for the first time.
Counting kicked off at 8am on Friday in all 16 constituencies. Officials say the first declarations could come from around lunchtime, with results rolling in steadily through the afternoon and into the evening.
“With a brand new voting system, larger constituencies and the chance of recounts, this is uncharted territory for Welsh democracy.”
Experts have warned that the higher number of seats per constituency, combined with the new system, could trigger more recounts than usual. Whether every Welsh result will be confirmed before the weekend is still an open question.
Quick Look At The Counting Timeline
| Nation | Counting Starts | First Results | Final Results Expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Thursday night and Friday morning | Early Friday morning | By Saturday evening |
| Scotland | Friday morning | Friday afternoon | Late Friday or Saturday |
| Wales | Friday morning | Friday lunchtime | Friday evening, possibly Saturday |
Why These Results Matter For The Whole UK
This vote is the first major test of the political mood since Labour swept to power in the 2024 general election. Reform UK, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, the SNP and Plaid Cymru are all watching closely.
Early signs in England suggest Reform UK is making sharp gains in council seats, with Nigel Farage already declaring that “left and right politics is finished.” Labour is bracing for a tougher night in Welsh strongholds it has held for over a century.
In Scotland, polling suggests the SNP could form another government, but without the comfort of a majority. A hung parliament at Holyrood would force fresh deal making between parties.
Council results also shape the daily lives of millions, deciding who runs schools, social care, housing, bin collections and road repairs.
Voters can follow live declarations on the BBC, ITV, Sky News and S4C, with rolling coverage on radio, TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube. The BBC News website and app are running live result trackers, with fact checking from BBC Verify across every region.
By the time the weekend arrives, the political map of Britain could look very different. From new mayors taking the oath in London town halls to fresh faces walking into Holyrood and the Senedd, this is a moment of real change. Tell us in the comments which result has surprised you the most, and share your thoughts on social media using #ElectionResults2026 and #LocalElections2026.
