Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will remain as Prime Minister despite Labour suffering heavy losses in local elections, with Reform UK making significant gains across the country. Speaking on Friday morning, Starmer acknowledged the results were “tough” and “very tough”, taking responsibility for the defeats but vowing to carry on delivering the change he promised.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hailed a “truly historic shift in British politics”, as his party won control of Havering in London and Essex County Council, among other gains. Farage said the results showed a move away from the old Labour and Conservative domination, adding “the best is yet to come”. Labour lost hundreds of councillors, including in key areas such as Wandsworth, Westminster, and Tameside.
Starmer faces further losses as counting continues in English local elections and devolved contests in Scotland and Wales. Labour is expected to lose the national vote in Wales for the first time in over a century, while the SNP remains likely to be the largest party in Scotland. The Prime Minister said he would not “plunge the country into another election” and urged his party to stay focused.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned against playing “pass the parcel” with the leadership, while Defence Secretary John Healey said Starmer should be given more time. However, Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash called for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure, allowing a wide leadership election. Labour sources pointed to past poor local results under Tony Blair, who later won a landslide in 2001.
The Liberal Democrats made gains, taking control of Stockport and Portsmouth, while the Green Party’s Zoe Garbett was elected mayor of Hackney. Green leader Zack Polanski said it was “time to go” for Starmer, declaring “two-party politics is dead”. Reform UK has gained 320 councillors so far, with Farage predicting further progress in Scotland and Wales.
