Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from senior Labour MPs to agree a timetable for his departure after the party suffered heavy losses in local elections across England and Wales. Labour lost control of more than 25 councils and over 1,000 council seats in England, with many falling to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. In Wales, First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat, and Labour could slump to third place in Scotland.
While no immediate coup has materialised, at least 10 MPs have called on Starmer to set out a departure plan. Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh said the prime minister cannot lead Labour into another election unless there is significant change. One senior backbencher suggested Starmer should hold his final party conference this autumn and then oversee a leadership contest.
Starmer has insisted he will not walk away, arguing that doing so would plunge the party into chaos. However, he acknowledged voters are frustrated with the pace of change. Downing Street sources said he will deliver a major speech next week outlining a more optimistic vision, and the King's Speech on Wednesday will include policy announcements.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the results as a 'truly historic shift in British politics,' as his party won hundreds of seats and control of several councils. Plaid Cymru became the largest party in Wales, while the Greens gained their first directly elected mayors and three councils. The Conservatives lost hundreds of seats but regained control of Westminster Council.
Labour's vote held up in some areas, such as Wes Streeting's Redbridge constituency, but the party unexpectedly lost control of Brent in London. Allies of potential leadership rivals Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham have remained quiet for now, watching how events unfold.
