A Red-Wall Labour MP summed up the mood succinctly: 'It’s not carnage. It’s f***ing carnage.' The results are still coming in, but the pattern is set, and it is not going to improve.
Labour's Northern Heartlands Erased
In Labour’s former Northern strongholds, the party has not merely been defeated or routed; it has effectively ceased to exist. The only councils where Labour has managed to hold on are those where only a third of seats were up for election. This represents a seismic shift in the political landscape.
Greens Surge in London and the South
In London and the South, the Green Party is experiencing a surge. Although the anti-Semitism row has slightly checked their advance in some areas, they are still making historic breakthroughs, signalling a fundamental realignment of voter loyalties.
Tories Show Tentative Recovery
Perhaps more surprisingly, there are the first tentative signs of a recovery for the Conservatives. These gains have boosted Tory hopes of winning back the London mayoralty in 2028, a prospect that seemed distant just months ago.
A Fractured Political Landscape
In the coming hours, a narrative will emerge describing the British political landscape as 'fractured.' There is some validity to this claim, as Reform, the Greens, and independent insurgents continue their assault on the two main parties. However, one clear pattern dominates: Keir Starmer is now the most despised leader in modern British political history.
The North West, North East, Midlands, South, London, Scotland, and Wales are united by a deep, abiding, visceral hatred for Keir Starmer. As Karl Turner, the Labour MP currently suspended for opposing the abolition of jury trials, put it: 'Keir Starmer is now more toxic on the doorstep in Hull than Jeremy Corbyn ever was.'
Starmer's Response: Defiance
Yet, clear signs indicate Starmer’s response to voters will be: 'Screw the lot of you. I’m not going anywhere.' Inside No. 10, a plan for another 'relaunch' had been drawn up, involving the Prime Minister emerging from his Downing Street bunker to announce a shift to the Left to tackle the Green threat, and a decisive move back towards Europe to appeal to pro-Remain Liberals and Tories.
That plan has already been blown up on the launch pad. The scale of losses to Reform makes such a pivot politically suicidal. However, that does not mean Starmer will not pursue it. As one Minister explained: 'He doesn’t care about appealing to the country now. All he cares about is trying to shore up his position amongst Labour activists.'
The Fate Rests with Labour MPs
The fate of the Government, the Labour Party, and the country now rests in the hands of Labour MPs. Over the past few weeks, Starmer’s dwindling band of supporters have peddled a clear line: 'We know people are angry with Keir, but there’s no one who can replace him.' This was a toxic message at the best of times, but as a response to the current electoral carnage, it represents an act of corporate insanity.
Keir Starmer is now the most despised leader in modern British political history. Are Labour MPs honestly going to stand up and say to the country: 'Yeah, we know you hate him, but trust us, he’s the best we’ve got?' If they do, there will be only one outcome. Today, Britain has turned its back decisively on Keir Starmer. If his MPs do not act—and quickly—the hatred towards their leader will be transferred to their party and to them.
