𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Millions of Britons will head to the polls on Thursday in a bumper set of local elections across England, Scotland and Wales. Experts predict that tactical voting could play a huge part in the results, with the UK facing multi-party local elections for the first time in years.

YouGov election experts have revealed that the majority of voters would consider voting tactically to keep a party they dislike out of power. Some 57% of Liberal Democrat and Green Party voters, for example, would vote Labour to stop Reform UK taking their local authority. On the other side, some 41% of Conservative voters would back Reform UK if it were a two-horse race between Nigel Farage’s party and Labour. The Daily Express has broken down key races to analyse who voters are likely to back if they want to stop the Greens, Reform, Labour, the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats from taking control of their local council.

Zack Polanski’s party is surging in the polls, with thousands of new members – it recently overtook the Liberal Democrats. It is polling at about 18-20% and is predicted to sweep away Labour-held council seats across England.

But what should you do if you do not want a Green Party councillor? Normally, tactical voting suggests you should vote for whatever party is most likely to win in your area, which is not the one you dislike.

• 54% of Reform voters say they would stick with Reform in a race between Labour and the Greens
• 41% of Conservative voters say they would stick with the Conservatives in a race between Labour and the Green Party

In areas across London, where the Greens are expected to make major gains in Labour-held areas, many will vote Labour to avoid a Green win.

In areas where the Liberal Democrats hold the council, people could back Sir Ed Davey’s party to keep the Greens out of their town hall.

Dogged by scandal and with taxes at a seven-decade high, it is predicted by most election experts that Labour will lose hundreds of seats.

• 44% of Reform voters say they would switch their vote to the Conservative Party in a race between the Tories and Labour
• 36% of Conservative voters say they would back Reform in a race between Nigel Farage’s party and Labour.

In areas where Labour is involved in the closest races, tactical voting may come down to highly specific wards. For example, in the London Borough of Westminster, voting Conservative – the second-largest party there – might be seen as the best way to stop Labour.

In Lewisham, Hackney and Southwark, voters who do not like Sir Keir may end up backing the Greens.

Across the country, the Liberal Democrats control many local authorities and have traditionally outperformed electoral expectations. But for those who have either grown tired of their local Liberal Democrat council, or do not want to have one, how should they vote?

• 45% of Reform voters would rather back the Tories if it meant stopping the Liberal Democrats
• 30% of Labour voters would switch to the Green Party to stop the Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats hold several councils in London, all up for election this time around. Voters who do not want a Lib Dem local authority could look at who came second last time and throw their support behind them.

If Right-wing politics isn’t your thing, you might find yourself voting tactically to keep Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage’s parties out of office.

Reform UK is enjoying lots of support across the country, while Mrs Badenoch actually seen as one of the most favourable party leaders nationwide.

YouGov polling shows that Labour voters are more open to voting tactically to stop Reform. In total, 29% of them said they would back the Tories if it meant keeping out Reform.

Realistically, Reform UK is most likely to be hoovering up Conservative-held seats. But those wanting to block the Tories, for example in some central London boroughs, will look at who came second last time around.

Tactical voting is an increasingly common practice for those already engaged in elections. Yet by and large, the majority of people do not vote in local elections.

If you are voting, the most important thing to remember is to bring a form of ID with you, such as a passport or driving licence, so you will be allowed to vote in the first place!