Local elections: Reaction as counting continues after polls in England and NI

Summary

Elections are held for 248 English councils, six mayors and all 11 councils in Northern Ireland
Conservatives and Labour both see vote shares fall compared with 2015
The Tories lose 44 councils and 1,334 seats
Theresa May says results message is: "Just get on and deliver Brexit."
Labour loses six councils and 82 seats
Lib Dems take control of 10 councils and won 703 seats
Greens and independents also make significant gains
Anger over Brexit appears to be influencing voters, say experts

Live Reporting

Arryn Moy and Hamish Mackay

How do I vote?published at 10:32 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
If you are registered to vote, you will be able to take part in today's elections.
You should have already received a polling card, giving details of your nearest polling station, if there is an election in your area.
You should take this with you when you go to vote, although in most places you will be able to vote without it. Polling stations opened at 07.00 BST and close at 22.00 BST.
The deadline for registering has passed so if you are not on the electoral register, you will not be able to vote.
To find out whether you are registered, contact your local Electoral Registration Office via the gov.uk website., external
If you live in certain parts of the country, you will need to take ID with you when you vote - as part of an ongoing government trial to tackle voter fraud.
In Broxtowe, external, Craven, external, Derby, external, North Kesteven, external and Braintree, external, voters will have to show either one piece of photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID. In Mid Sussex, external, Watford, external, and North West Leicestershire, external people will have to bring their polling cards or photo ID.
Voters in Pendle, external and Woking, external will only be able to show photo ID at the polling station to be given a ballot paper.
#Dogsnotinpollingstationspublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
The BBC's assistant political editor, Norman Smith, tweeted this picture of his dog Lexi with a caption expressing her disappointment over the lack of elections in London:
Image source, Norman Smith
Bikes at polling stationspublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Cycling enthusiasts have started a hashtag to rival #dogsatpollingstations - stylishly shot #bikesatpollingstations:
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What are local elections all about?published at 10:11 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Media caption,
Local elections: What are they all about?
Pop-up polling stationspublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
It's not just church halls and primary schools - polling stations can pop up in some unusual places.
A caravan, a football ground and a pub are some of this year's offerings.
Image source, PA
Image caption,
Officials set up a temporary building for voting in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
Image source, PA
Image caption,
Voters in Priors Dean, Hampshire get to cast their ballot in their local pub, the White Horse Inn
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
This polling station has popped up in a caravan outside someone's home in High Offley, Staffordshire
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Guisborough Football Club is home to a polling station today
England's dogs continue to visit their local polling stationspublished at 10:04 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
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What can't you do in a polling station?published at 09:45 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Worried about making a mistake in the voting booth? We've got a guide to what you can and can't do on election day.
If you want to know whether it's OK to take selfies, tweet about voting or bring your pet, then you can find out the answers here.
Polling day poetrypublished at 09:41 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Mysterious 'Poet Laureate of Twitter' Brian Bilston has penned an ode to the #dogsatpollingstations phenomena.
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Are there elections near me?published at 09:37 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Here's our guide to where elections are taking place today, including a postcode search tool.
It has all the details about today's voting, including an explanation of how the results are calculated and why some council seats are not up for election today.
How the BBC reports polling daypublished at 09:35 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
The BBC, like other broadcasters, isn't allowed to report details of campaigning while the polls are open.
It is required by electoral law to adopt a code of practice, ensuring fairness between candidates and that is particularly important on polling day.
The code of practice is contained in more detailed election guidelines which are written and published for each election - and they include guidance on polling day, here.
On polling day specifically, the BBC doesn't report on any of the election campaigns from 00:30 BST until polls close at 22:00 BST on TV, radio or bbc.co.uk - or on social media and other channels.
Read the full story here.
Dogs at polling stationspublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
It's the day everyone has been waiting for... #dogsatpollingstations is back.
Posting a picture of man's best friend pre and post vote on Twitter has become something of a national past time.
Here's a selection from this morning:
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Do you need ID to vote?published at 09:31 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
The rules on voting are different this year in some areas, with a trial of voter ID in 10 local authorities in England.
In Braintree, Broxtowe, Craven, Derby, North Kesteven, Woking and Pendle, you'll have to show ID before you can vote.
Voters in Mid Sussex, North West Leicestershire, and Watford local authorities are required to show their polling card.
Everyone else in England can vote as usual, and do not need to take their polling card or any proof of identity with them.
But in Northern Ireland, voters need photo ID.
Welcome to polling daypublished at 09:27 British Summer Time 2 May 2019
Image source, Getty Images
We will be covering all of today's polling news on this live page.
Elections are being held for 248 English councils, six mayors and all 11 councils in Northern Ireland.
Polling stations for the vote - spanning metropolitan and district councils and unitary authorities - opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00 BST.
There are no local elections in Scotland and Wales.