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 with every election, voters bring their four-legged friends to the polling station and share photos on social media to encourage others to get voting.
From miniature schnauzers to jack russell terriers, furry friends of all sorts of 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 the polling stations during this election day:
open image in galleryOne noble-looking Shiba inu, named Obi-Wan Kenobi, was photographed outside the St James’ Church polling station in Edinburgh as voters arrived to cast their votes in the Holyrood elections.
open image in galleryObi-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 as they prepared to vote, mingling outside with election candidates.
open image in galleryA particularly adorable miniature schnauzer stood to attention outside the City Hall in St David’s, Pembrokeshire, Wales. If voters were deciding on a pup with the waggliest tail, there’s no doubt this one was very persuasive.
open image in gallerySNP leader John Swinney wasn’t the only major figure spotted casting his vote in Burrelton, Blairgowie; this great golden hound looked incredibly well-behaved as they accompanied their master to the polling place.
open image in galleryOne majestic looking dog looked more than ready to leave the polling station in at St Mary’s Church Hall in Whitley Bay sending a clear message to their owner: democracy can’t get in the way of a good walk.
At Kilmun, in the Argyll and Bute area, 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.”