Labour MP Ed Miliband makes air quality a key election issue
Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband is making air quality in London a key borough election issue.
The north Londoner said: “It’s polling day, and I’m asking you to vote for your brilliant local Labour candidates in this election.
“£11 billion for social and affordable housing, free breakfast clubs, free school meals, building more council homes and keeping air quality within legal limits.
“It’s all on the ballot today. Don’t forget your voter ID and vote Labour today until 10pm.”
Sir Sadiq Khan’s Ulez ultra low emission zone has been credited with cleaning up air, particularly in Inner London.
But Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has campaigned against the London Mayor’s air quality scheme, arguing it is having little impact in Outer London and penalising motorists.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband )
PA Wire
In pictures: Early bird voters head to polling stations to cast their votes
A man exits a polling station in Lewisham on May 7
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A woman exits a polling station after casting her vote in Lewisham
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A man arrives to cast his vote at a polling station in the Scottish Parliament Election
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A woman enters a polling station to cast her vote in the local elections in the London borough of Lewisham
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WATCH: Sir Keir Starmer arrives to cast his vote
Labour launches ‘Hackney we love you’ video
Labour has launched a “Hackney we love you” video as it seeks to cling onto the council.
The borough is top of the target list for Zack Polanski’s Green Party.
Mr Polanski has told The Standard how he is “very confident” that Green candidate Zoe Garbett will be elected Mayor of Hackney.
‘We’re the only party you can vote for if you want real change,’ says Farage
“The polls are open. Go out and vote Reform,” says Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
“And do it because we’re going to get rid of Keir Starmer when we win and we are the only party you can vote for if you want real change in a country that is going downhill rapidly.”
The key thing to note is this is not a general election – seats in Westminster will remain unchallenged.
‘Choose progress over politics of anger’, says Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has written on X: “Today, choose progress over the politics of anger.
He was seen casting his vote at Westminster Chapel earlier this morning.
What’s the weather forecast for polling day?
It’s looking like a bit of a mixed bag for voters heading to the polls today.
Forecasters say there will be sunny spells this morning followed by some showers in the afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to reach around 16C, but feeling more like 14C.
Met Office forecast as of 8.30am
Met Office
PM casts his vote at the ballot box in Westminster
Sir Keir Starmer cast his ballot at Westminster Chapel in central London this morning.
Walking hand-in-hand with his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, Starmer spent around two minutes in the polling station before leaving.
He did not respond when asked by reporters how he was feeling and if he would resign if the Labour Party performs poorly, as some projections have forecast.
Shortly before the Prime Minister arrived, a member of the public remarked on the huddle of photographers outside Westminster Chapel, saying: “If I’d known you guys were all rocking up, I would have worn something different!”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer depart after casting their votes during the local council election at Westminster Chapel
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Still unsure who to vote for? Take a look at the candidates in your area
This way you can find out where your nearest polling station is and you’ll see a list of all candidates.
More than six million London residents are eligible to vote in the local elections. They offer people the chance to have their say on what happens in their local area.
More than 1,800 councillors will be elected across London’s 32 boroughs, they run services such as bin collections and adult social care.
Mayors of Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets will also be elected at the same time.
As it stands, Labour currently run 21 London councils, the Conservatives control five, the Lib Dems hold three and two councils are in no overall control.
Not able to vote in person?
If you’re not able to vote in person, emergency proxy voting is still available.
This is essentially where you can ask someone else – a proxy – to vote on your behalf.
But both you and your proxy must already be registered to vote.
