After weeks of campaigning, polling stations open for voters to have their say at the General Election today, which means the return of the trend #dogsatpollingstations – along with cats and a horse.
Millions of people will cast their vote between 7am and 10pm, with opinion polls suggesting Labour is on course to secure a big majority in the House of Commons.Â
Polling stations are now open, including the one in Kirby Sigston in North Yorkshire, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to vote later.
Mr Sunak said today represents a ‘pivotal moment’ for the country’s future as he claimed Labour would ‘wield their unchecked power’ to increase taxes should they secure a ‘supermajority’.Â
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK ‘cannot afford’ five more years under the Conservatives, adding Britain can ‘begin a new chapter’ under his party.
On a less serious note, dogs across the country are being snapped waiting dutifully for their owner to cast a vote.
#DogsAtPollingStations is one of the highest trends on X this morning, with adorable polling pooches seen next to signs.
One pup named Mavis was pictured high-fiving the camera, with her owner writing on X: ‘Paws up for change! Mavis feels getting in early is impawtent in Bury North on a day like this.’
Is YOUR dog at the polling station? Email your photos to emily.davies@mailonline.co.ukÂ
Jimmy the Miniature Schnauzer pictured at the new constituency of Hampstead and Highgate
Cute five-year-old Romanian rescue Spud in Doncaster is held by a sign for a quick snap
Dozens of hounds from The Hursley Hambledon Hunt wait outside the Meonstoke Village Hall polling station in the Hampshire countryside
JJ the Labrador at the polling station in Myddle, Shropshire earlier today
A grumpy but cute looking Amber the shih tzu sits in the flowers by a polling station sign
One pup named Mavis was pictured high-fiving the camera, with her owner writing on X: ‘Paws up for change! Mavis feels getting in early is impawtent in Bury North on a day like this’
Joey the Shih Tzu waits in a pram outside the polling station at St James’ Church, Goldenacre, in Edinburgh.
Marley the dog looks worries as he waits for its owner outside a polling station in BelfastÂ
Smart boy Spike dressed up especially for the occasion this morning
A very cool-looking dog poses with style for a photo at his local polling station
Another well dressed pooch, Lottie the Labour Briard, in Over Haddon, Derbyshire
A man and a dog wait outside a polling station during the British General Election at Richmond Methodist Church in Richmond, North Yorkshire
Left: A six-month-old fluffy puppy is pictured at his first ever #dogsatpollingstations day. Right:Â Ringo at his first election in Poole, Dorset
Roscoe, a two-year-old Tibetan Terrier at Royal Tunbridge Wells polling station
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also posted to get in on the trend with a voter’s dog
A cute Old English Sheepdog along for the vote this morning in Wokingham
One person even brought along their cockerel to vote
Coco the French bulldog made the pawfect companion to Anne and Alistair Blake when the married couple, in their 60s, went to cast their vote at the village hall in Oreton, Shropshire
This incredibly fluffy pup sits patiently in front of a polling station sign
Even horses have been spotted coming along this morning, like this one in Holne, Devon
It’s not just dogs, with this cat owner bringing along his confused pet in a carrier to vote
The dogs in polling stations trend first emerged during the 2015 election and typically features photographs of pets pictured waiting for their owners while they cast their votes.Â
Edinburgh Council posted a smiling Golden Retriever called Ivy on X to remind people that only assistance dogs are allowed inside.
Some dogs, like one sleepy collie, were clearly not happy at being dragged out of bed early this morning for a picture by a polling station sign.
But one wide-awake foster dog named Roma was thrilled to be included as he was brought along.
Most of the dogs were pictured sitting patiently outside the polling stations and generally conducting themselves in a calm and considerate manner.
There are no specific rules banning dogs from inside polling stations, as this depends on whether the building which is being used for the vote usually allows them.Â
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Is YOUR dog at the polling station? Email your photos to emily.davies@mailonline.co.ukÂ
A dog waits outside a polling station in Swainby as voters go to the polls
A dog waits outside a polling station in Great Ayton
This adorable dog named Toffee came with his owner to vote in Wood Green, London
Even cats are chiming in on the action today, with some suggesting a new trend with felines
Bettie, voting for the ‘Treat Party’, poses with her owner today
Yogi, a tiny 13-year-old border terrier, poses by his local polling station sign
One-year-old Labrador retriever cross Hector joined his owners at the polls in Newington, Kent
This little pug named Peanut reluctantly sat for a photograph this morning
It comes after the Sun finally announced their last-minute endorsement of Sir Keir – to the fury of both readers and those in Liverpool a Labour stronghold which has long shunned the newspaper after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
An exit poll, published shortly after 10pm tonight, will provide the first indication of how the election has gone on a national level.
These take place at polling stations across the UK, with tens of thousands of people asked to privately fill in a replica ballot as they leave, to get an indication of how they voted.
The first of the 650 seats are likely to declare their results from 11.30pm.
Is YOUR dog at the polling station? Email your photos to emily.davies@mailonline.co.ukÂ
Tiny Tim the dog yawns as he waits for his owner in Cromer, Norfolk, today
Rebel Barney a Cockapoo walks in protest over a No Dogs sign sprayed outside the Polling Station at St Mark’s Hospital in Maidenhead, Berkshire
Bonnie a rescue Pointer and Beagle crossbreed from Cyprus, sits outside the Polling Station at St Mark’s Hospital in Maidenhead
A voter ties her dogs to a fence outside a polling station at Notre Dame Primary School in Glasgow
Left: Edinburgh Council posted this smiling Golden Retriever called Ivy on X to remind people that only assistance dogs are allowed inside of the polling stations
Cwtch the Collie – which is Welsh for ‘hug’ – smiles at the camera this morning
Fred was pictured being held by a polling station sign – looking more interested in snacks
This young collie was a very good dog, tied up to a bench by the sign while waiting patiently
Bear the Labrador looks puzzled at the camera after being dragged out of bed today
This adorable pup called Bagel is pictured at the polling station in Bramley
Left: This sleepy collie was clearly not happy at being dragged out of bed early this morning for a picture by a polling station sign. Right:Â Polly at the Polling Station in South Belfast
This windswept dog looks up at their owner as he votes in the Scottish Highlands
Many of the dogs got the memo and struck a pose as their owner took their photo
A gorgeous fluffy Golden Retriever smiles for the camera this morning
While the campaigning has been full of the expected back-and-forth between the Tories and Labour in both speeches and social media jibes, the Lib Dems were arguably the highlight for many.Â
Leader Ed Davey made headlines daily for his wild stunts, ending them by driving off in a pink Cadillac convertible with his deputy Daisy Cooper after his last election campaign stop.
The Lib Dem leader gave a stump speech at Hammond’s End Farm in Harpenden to the tune of ABBA’s Take A Chance On Me.
Sir Ed said he had enjoyed the campaign, which saw him travel the entire length of the UK, cover 6,000 miles on the Lib Dem’s Yellow Hammer One bus and bungee 160 feet.
He added: ‘Communities are angry. The water companies have been allowed to pour their filthy sewage into our rivers, lakes and onto our beaches. This has to change. The Conservatives have got to go.’
Along his campaign he has entertained the public by doing everything from bungee jumping to surfing and paddle-boarding – but some argued it showed he wasn’t taking it seriously.
However he interspersed his light-hearted stunts with heart-warming and sincere insights into his personal life and caring for his son.
Is YOUR dog at the polling station? Email your photos to emily.davies@mailonline.co.ukÂ
One voter even brought along her rabbits in a pram to her polling station
Dylan the Collie in Oxfordshire smiles at the camera beneath a polling station sign
A dog outside the polling station Pollokshields Burgh Halls in Glasgow
Dogs out on the school run stop for a photo outside a Polling Station on General Election Day in the village of Datchet, Berkshire
This dog poses by a polling station in the Old Albanians Rugby Club, Herts
A group of dogs seen at the Chrishall, Royston polling station
Rufus, a three-year-old Cocker Spaniel in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
Left: Another sleepy terrier reluctantly poses – and hopes for treats as a reward. Right: A grumpy dog is held up by a sign
Reilly, a three-year-old miniature English Bull terrier, in Flintshire, North Wales
Pictured is very good boy Bastian out in Falmouth this morning with his owner to vote
This majestic Golden Retriever is pictured in-between the doors to the polling station
Left: Taylor the Beagle, affectionately known as Pupperino Pankhurst, is seen in London. Right: Mattie, a six-year-old Romanian Border Rottie in Worthing
Jasper looks at a sign at his first general election as he participates in the trend
Sir Keir, writing on social media site X as polls opened, said: ‘Change. Today, you can vote for it.’
Ahead of 7am, Mr Sunak posted a series of messages on the same site, which urged voters to ‘stop the Labour supermajority’.
Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay, also writing on X, said: ‘Today’s the opportunity to vote for real hope and real change, in Waveney Valley, and across the country.’
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, posted an image asking people to ‘vote with your heart’, adding: ‘Vote for real change today. Vote Reform UK.’
The SNP tweeted: ‘Vote SNP to deliver independence, rejoin the EU, scrap the two-child benefit cap, invest in the just transition, protect free tuition.’
North of the border, Scotland’s First Minister has urged ‘every single SNP voter’ to turn out today in what he said will be an ‘incredibly close’ contest throughout the country.
Addressing supporters at a pre-election rally in Leith yesterday evening, John Swinney said the Conservatives were going to be ‘heavily defeated’ by the Labour Party in England.
But he added that there were ‘narrow margins’ between Labour and the SNP north of the border.
Is YOUR dog at the polling station? Email your photos to emily.davies@mailonline.co.ukÂ
Dogs across England and Wales were out in full force at the polling stations today
Left: A Jack Russell looks back at the camera as he poses with signs. Right:Â This majestic spaniel in Wales is such a good dog, it doesn’t need a lead to pose
A polling station dog patiently waits for its owner in Andover, Hampshire, this morning
But this naughty pooch refused to co-operate for the social media trend
This well-behaved dog called Athena was pictured in Chislehurst, London this morning
Robbie the rescue greyhound at the polling station in Holystone, North Tyneside this morning
This proud pup who works as a school dog sits in front of the doors without a leadÂ
Two tired collies pictured panting as they made an unexpected detour to the polling station
National pet charity Blue Cross has released advice for dog owners who may want to take their pet along to their local polling station.
Whether or not you can take your dog inside varies between polling stations.
According to guidance from the Electoral Commission, dogs, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed inside as they can disturb voters.Â
However, some polling stations may be more flexible. If you’re thinking of taking your dog along with you to vote, it’s best to check with the venue in advance.
If your dog is not allowed in, the charity has warned owners to not leave them tied up outside, as there is a risk of theft. It’s best to leave your dog at home, or to bring someone along with you who can wait outside with your pet while you vote.
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross said: ‘We love how #dogsatpollingstations has become an event across the country at every election but do check in advance with your polling station to see if they allow dogs inside before taking them along.
‘Sadly there’s a real risk that your beloved pet could be stolen if you leave them tied up alone outside, so take someone with you who can stay with your pet while you vote, or leave your pet at home.’
This dog is pointedly avoiding looking at the camera as its owner tries to get it to pose for the social media trend on Twitter/X
Another good dog is pictured standing proudly by the sign without a lead
Many owners posted their photos with a reminder on social media, like this proud-looking dog
This dog was pictured looking very proud by a polling station sign
The hashtag dogsatpollingstations is already trending on X, formerly Twitter, as it has on a host of other election days in recent years due to the cute photos, like this one
The owner of these two distracted pups tied them in-between two signs to try and get a photo
This alert dog looks straight at the camera, well-practised at being photographed
This adorable Corgi was held up to the sign by his helpful owner for a photo
This wide-awake foster dog is thrilled to be included as Roma is brought to the polling station
