Millions of people are expected to exercise their democratic right on Thursday in what is expected to be a stern test of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.
But while the future may remain uncertain for the prime minister, one thing can be expected: there will be many dogs at polling stations across the country.
It’s a time-honoured tradition that in every election voters bring their four-legged friends to polling stations and share photos on social media to encourage others to get voting.
From miniature schnauzers to jack russell terriers, furry friends of all shapes and sizes will accompany their owners on this democratic dog walk.
Local elections are taking place across 136 local authorities in England. Meanwhile, a total of 129 seats in the Scottish parliament are up for grabs, with voters electing 73 constituency representatives, with a further 56 MSPs elected via eight regional lists.
Voters in Wales will choose 96 members of the Senedd, with Labour forecast to experience a historic defeat, having been the largest party for more than a century and leading its parliament for 27 years.
Meet some of our four-legged friends found at polling stations at these elections:
One noble-looking Shiba inu, named Obi-Wan Kenobi, was photographed outside St James’ Church polling station in Edinburgh as voters arrived to cast their votes in the Holyrood elections.
Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn’t the only pup spotted at St James’ Church: a number of voters rocked up to the Inverleith polling station with their pets, mingling outside with election candidates.
A particularly adorable miniature schnauzer stood to attention outside the City Hall in St David’s, Pembrokeshire. If voters were deciding on a pup with the waggiest tail, there’s no doubt this one was very persuasive.
SNP leader John Swinney wasn’t the only major figure spotted casting his vote in Burrelton, Blairgowie: this great golden hound looked impeccably behaved as its accompanied it owner to the polling place.
One majestic dog looked more than ready to leave the polling station at St Mary’s Church Hall in Whitley Bay, north Yorkshire, sending a clear message to its owner: democracy should never get in the way of a good walk.
At Kilmun, in Argyll and Bute, Bo the Chihuahua stood outside the Younger Hall polling station with a key message for voters: “You’ve got until 10pm tonight to get to your polling place to cast your vote. You don’t need to bring your polling letter to vote as long as you are registered.”