Sir Keir Starmer is battling for his political survival after Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors and control of 38 councils in Thursday’s local elections, handing Reform UK its most significant electoral breakthrough yet. Around 40 Labour MPs have called for a leadership change, and backbench MP Catherine West has threatened to formally trigger a contest as early as this week.
Against this backdrop, Starmer delivered a speech in London which tried to convince both his party and the public that he should stay on as Prime Minister. The address comes as the party faces internal turmoil and external pressure following the electoral defeat.
Meanwhile, in other news, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler remains in intensive care in Portugal after emergency intestinal surgery, with her summer shows cancelled. The iconic Dartmoor ponies face potential culling after Natural England demanded a 75% reduction in grazing livestock. Prince George will attend Eton College from autumn, following his father's footsteps. And a preliminary agreement to end the conflict has been signed by the US and Iran, though a permanent peace deal is yet to be negotiated.
