WIND OF CHANGE

Party leaders are among the millions braving wet and gusty conditions to cast their ballots

- DAN VEVERS

BLUSTERY showers and 40mph winds greeted many voters as they cast their ballots across Scotland yesterday.

Polling stations all over the UK opened at 7am to let the people have their say after six weeks of campaigning.

It was the first general election in five years after three were held in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

And in what was the first July election since 1945, Scots braved the cold, rain and high winds to do their democratic duty and decide who should form the next government of the county.

As polling day dawned, Met Office meteorologist Paul Gunderson warned of strong winds of 30-40mph and gusts of up to 50mph in places.

BBC Scotland weather experts grimly told Scots they could expect conditions "more in keeping with October rather than July" with very poor" temperatures for the time of year.

But with the election in Scotland widely considered a tight race between the SNP and Labour, there was no let-up in the parties encouraging people to get out and vote.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, said on social media site X ahead of polls opening: "Change. Today, you can vote for it."

The SNP tweeted: #VoteSNP to deliver independence, rejoin the EU, scrap the two-child benefit cap, invest in the just transition, protect free tuition."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted a series of messages on the platform urging voters to "stop the Labour supermajority".