Elections 2021: Polling stations close on a day that could have big implications for Labor and the future of the UK | Political news

Polling stations closed on an election day which could have profound implications for the future of the UK and the Labor Party.

Dubbed Super Thursday, the ballot closed at 10 p.m. in the biggest test of political opinion outside a general election in nearly 50 years.

The future of Labour Party and the State of the Union are two of the main issues at stake.

In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP hopes for an overall majority, which she said she will see as a mandate to hold a second independence referendum, which risks dividing the UK.

Wales were voting for their national representatives in the Senedd, with Mark Drakeford hoping to maintain Labor’s grip – although he may be forced to forge a new coalition to remain prime minister.

In England, people voted not only in local council elections, but also in competitions for mayors and for police and crime commissioners.

For Labor, Hartlepool’s by-election will indicate what progress, if any, the party has made in regaining its former Tory hearts after its worst general election result since 1935.

Hartlepool has always had a Labor MP and held his majority in 2019, even though much of the ‘red wall’ around him has collapsed – but pre-election polls indicated a victory for the Tories.

Losing the seat would be a blow to Sir Keir Starmer and provide a rare by-election win for a ruling party.

Speaking moments after the polls closed, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick played down any suggestions the Tories could win in Hartlepool.

He told Sky News: “It would be unpleasant if Keir Starmer didn’t just win, but won with a majority.

“It is exceptionally rare to win a by-election …