Local elections - as it happened: Corbyn insists Labour ‘ready for an election', despite missing top London targets
All the latest updates, as they happened
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Labour has urged the government to scrap controversial ID pilots, which saw some voters turned away during local elections in England.
Parties faced mixed results at the polls, although Jeremy Corbyn insisted Labour was "absolutely ready" for a general election, despite failing to deliver on its pledge to snatch key councils from the Tory clutches.
While Labour made gains in areas like Plymouth and Trafford, it was unable to win the Tory "crown jewels" in London, such as Wandsworth and Westminster.
The party had hoped to seize Kensington and Chelsea from the Tories in the wake of public outcry over the Grenfell Tower tragedy but failed to do so, while its chances in Barnet - which has a large Jewish population - may have been damaged by the recent antisemitism row.
The Conservatives capitalised on the near-collapse of Ukip, and gained control of councils in Peterborough, Southend and Basildon, with a small swing in their favour outside London.
Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats won several councils - including target seats of Richmond-upon-Thames and Kingston-upon-Thames - while the Greens elected a string of new councillors.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a gun at a polling station in Northern Ireland.
The 59-year-old was detained on suspicion of possession with "intent to cause fear or alarm" after the incident in Greencastle, Co Tyrone.
Voters have gone to the polls in Co Tyrone for a Westminster by-election triggered by the resignation of former MP Barry McElduff.
Following reports that members of the House of Lords were pushing to invite Donald Trump to speak in Parliament's Royal Gallery, over the objections of Commons speaker John Bercow, Lord Speaker Lord Fowler said "no conversations" had taken place with the government about the matter.
However, any request "would be discussed if and when it were received", he added.
He said: "Since becoming Lord Speaker in 2016 I have welcomed both the King of Spain and the President of Colombia to Parliament.
"Both addressed members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in the Royal Gallery, the use of which was approved by myself together with Black Rod.
"No conversations have taken place between the House of Lords and the UK Government regarding President Trump coming to the Royal Gallery.
"Any request for him to speak in the Royal Gallery would be discussed if and when it were received. The United States is a long-standing ally and friend of the United Kingdom."
Our original story is here:
An important part of election day this year, as ever, is the variety of pets accompanying their owners to polling stations around the country.
The #dogsatpollingstations hashtag has returned for 2018.
As we approach the close of polls at 10pm, here's a reminder of the big controversy of the day:
The fate of Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea Council is uncertain tonight, following anger over its handling of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Seventeen Tory councillors, including the former leader and deputy leader of the council, Nick Paget-Brown and Rock Feilding-Mellen, are not standing for re-election.
There are 50 seats up for grabs across 18 wards in the royal borough, which has been in the grip of the Tories since it began in 1964.
They hold 37 seats to Labour's 11 and the Liberal Democrats' two.
Additional reporting by PA
Some more #dogsatpollingstations content for you. Here, Kika the guide dog is pictured in Greenwich, London.
A reminder of Jeremy Corbyn's and Theresa May's most recent Twitter messages to voters.
Mr Corbyn said: "#VoteLabour to send @Theresa_May's Government an unmistakable message that we've had enough of the damage they're doing to our National Health Service."
Ms May said: "Vote for better local services and lower council tax. Vote @Conservatives today."
Polls have now closed. Across the country ballot boxes will be stacked and transported to town halls and other large centres for counting.
We're expecting the first results at around midnight...
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments