LONDON: Polling stations open across the UK at 7 am this morning for a General Election that will define Britain’s future direction – and the fate of Brexit.

Voters will be casting their ballots for the third time in four years in what the rival party leaders have said is one of the most consequential elections in decades.

The latest opinion polls suggest the race has tightened significantly.

After five weeks of campaigning, Boris Johnson ended his campaign by promising to “deliver Brexit” by 31 January.

Jeremy Corbyn said Labour offers a “vote for hope”.

The Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson told supporters it was possible “to deny Boris Johnson a majority” through tactical voting.

The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon published a letter calling Boris Johnson the “greatest danger to Scotland’ in modern times”.

46 million people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will cast their votes in 40,000 polling stations

Polls close at 10 pm.

(Agencies)