Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections

6 minutes ago

Voters will heading to the polls for two by-elections on Scotland's east coast.

The contests in Aberdeen South and the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency were triggered following the election of local SNP MPs Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins to Holyrood last month.

The votes coincide with the Makerfield by-election in Greater Manchester, which could have major implications for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Polls are open from 07:00 to 22:00 on Thursday, with results expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday.

Flynn and Gethins, who won Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry respectively for the SNP at the 2024 general election, had to resign their seats to take up a place at Holyrood.

Meanwhile, in north west England, Labour's Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is widely anticipated to launch a bid to oust Starmer as prime minister if he wins the Makerfield by-election.

For each of the by-elections, voters must have photo ID to cast their ballot at polling stations.

Unlike the recent Holyrood election, counting will take place overnight with the results expected in the early hours of Friday.