Labour has suffered a disastrous night in local elections, losing control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and Tamworth, and losing every council seat it contested in Hartlepool to Reform UK. The results have put renewed pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, with Labour MP Jonathan Brash calling for Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.
By early Friday morning, Labour had lost more than 229 council seats, over half of those it was contesting, while Reform UK gained 305 seats, making it the biggest winner of the night. The Conservatives also lost 122 council seats to Reform but regained control of Westminster Council from Labour.
Polling expert John Curtice described the night as one of "substantial success" for Reform. Labour's only bright spot came in London, where it held Hammersmith and Fulham council and fended off a strong Liberal Democrat challenge in Merton.
Senior Labour figures urged calm, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy saying "you don't change the pilot during a flight." However, pressure is mounting on Starmer, whose natural challengers, including Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, also saw heavy losses in their local areas.
