Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to continue leading the Labour Party despite heavy losses in local elections, with many seats lost to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Speaking on Friday morning, Starmer admitted the results were 'tough' but insisted he would not walk away from his responsibilities.
Labour lost control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and Tamworth, and lost about half the council seats it was contesting. Calls for Starmer's resignation came from Labour MPs including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash.
Reform UK secured 327 seats and took control of its first London council in Havering. Farage described the results as 'a big, big day' for the reshaping of British politics. The Conservatives also suffered heavy losses, though they performed better in London, winning back Westminster council from Labour.
Defence Secretary John Healey backed Starmer, saying 'you don't change the pilot during a flight', while West Midlands mayor Richard Parker called for 'a reset and a refocus'. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, seen as a potential rival, declined to comment on the elections.
