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| UK votes in MEP and council polls | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Voters across the UK are heading to the polls to cast their votes in the European Parliament elections. | |
| The European poll will be the last UK-wide electoral test ahead of a general election expected within a year. | The European poll will be the last UK-wide electoral test ahead of a general election expected within a year. |
| In England 27 county councils and seven unitary councils are holding elections and there are three mayoral votes. | In England 27 county councils and seven unitary councils are holding elections and there are three mayoral votes. |
| Polling stations are open between 0700 and 2200 BST, with the European results declared on Sunday evening. Council results are set to be known on Friday. | Polling stations are open between 0700 and 2200 BST, with the European results declared on Sunday evening. Council results are set to be known on Friday. |
| The European results are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days. | The European results are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days. |
| The UK and the Netherlands go to the polls on Thursday, followed by Ireland on Friday. Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend. | The UK and the Netherlands go to the polls on Thursday, followed by Ireland on Friday. Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend. |
| The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST. | The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST. |
| European voters will be electing 736 MEPs - including 72 from the UK. | European voters will be electing 736 MEPs - including 72 from the UK. |
| Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have six, four and three MEPs respectively, while the remaining 59 will represent nine different regions across England. | Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have six, four and three MEPs respectively, while the remaining 59 will represent nine different regions across England. |
| At the last European elections in 2004, turnout in the UK was 38% - across Europe the average was 45.5%. | At the last European elections in 2004, turnout in the UK was 38% - across Europe the average was 45.5%. |
| There have been predictions turnout this time it could be as low as 28%, while others believe it could be up to 50%. | There have been predictions turnout this time it could be as low as 28%, while others believe it could be up to 50%. |
| Thursday's weather is forecast to be rather cloudy. Wales, the Midlands and southern England should stay dry, although a few light showers are likely further north. | Thursday's weather is forecast to be rather cloudy. Wales, the Midlands and southern England should stay dry, although a few light showers are likely further north. |