Voters in England are casting ballots in local elections considered a test of the public mood less than a year before the U.K. leaves the European Union.

Voting is taking place Thursday to fill more than 4,000 seats on 150 local councils in towns and cities across England, including all of London's 32 boroughs.

The Conservatives, who have been in power nationally since 2010, are bracing for losses as some voters express anger over unsteady Brexit negotiations, an explosive immigration scandal and years of public spending cuts.

The main opposition Labour Party is hoping to pick up hundreds of seats, but has been tarnished by allegations that its leadership failed to clamp down on anti-Semitism in party ranks.

Polls are open until 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results expected Friday.