Best keep those fingers crossed, Keir
SUPER Thursday marks the biggest set of polls outside of a general election with 48 million people eligible to vote.
Many of today’s ballots are a year late due to Covid. But many eyes will be on Hartlepool’s by-election for a Commons seat in once rock-solid Red Wall Labour territory.
Local polls are tipping Tory candidate Jill Mortimer to beat Labour’s Paul Williams.
Labour are also said to be in danger of losing control of Sunderland and Durham councils for the first time in half a century.
Momentum
Also in the North East, Tory Ben Houchen is tipped to hold on to the post of Tees Valley Mayor. His job is among 13 regional mayoralties up for grabs. Polls also suggest West Midlands Mayor Andy Street will win a second term.
London is one of the few areas where Labour look strong. Mayor Sadiq Khan’s lead over Tory rival Shaun Bailey appeared to be gaining momentum in the final
days of the campaign. All 129 Scottish Parliament seats are being fought.
A survey yesterday predicted a four-seat majority for the SNP while the pro-independence Scottish Greens are tipped to soar from five to 13 MSPs. Alex Salmond’s Alba Party could also pick up a seat.
In Wales, where Chancellor Rishi Sunak campaigned yesterday, a Savanta ComRes poll showed Labour was likely to be the largest party in the Welsh Assembly but fall short of a majority.
In England, 21 county councils, 28 unitary authorities, 59 district councils and 35 metropolitan boroughs are up for grabs.
Devolved assemblies, council and mayoral elections, and 39 police commissioner posts in England and Wales are also being contested.