Local elections are taking place across the country today (Thursday May 5), with results expected to be announced throughout the night and tomorrow.
In total, there are around 4,360 seats up for grabs on about 146 councils across the country. There are also a few mayoral votes and seats on 1,000 parish councils.
While local elections are principally about who you want to represent you at a local level and how you want your local council to be run - and by who - these votes could well have major national ramifications. The votes are expected to be a major test for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been dogged by the party-gate scandals and is facing huge pressures over the cost of living crisis.
READ MORE: Local elections 2022: When we will know Merseyside's results
They will also be a big moment for Labour and Keir Starmer. The opposition leader will need to score some decisive wins if he is to prove he is ready to form a government at the next General Election.
We will have reporters stationed at election counts across Merseyside, but will also be keeping you updated on the emerging national picture. Our results totalizer below will update with all the results as they come in.
