Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will not walk away from his role as Prime Minister despite a devastating electoral defeat for Labour, as Nigel Farage's Reform UK made stunning gains across England and Wales. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the results were 'tough' and that his government had made 'unnecessary mistakes,' but he vowed to remain in office.
Labour's Heartland Losses
Labour suffered a net loss of 416 council seats and lost control of 14 authorities in England, with Reform UK winning control of five councils and adding 683 seats. In Wales, First Minister Eluned Morgan failed to win a seat in the newly-expanded Senedd, as Plaid Cymru and Reform hammered Labour. The SNP looked set to remain the largest party in Scotland after 19 years in power.
Speaking after the results, Sir Keir said: 'The results are tough, they are very tough, and there's no sugar-coating it. We have lost brilliant Labour representatives across the country, these are people who put so much into their communities, so much into our party. And that hurts, and it should hurt, and I take responsibility.'
Reform UK's Historic Gains
Nigel Farage claimed the elections illustrated a 'truly historic shift in British politics.' Reform took Sunderland from Labour, a council containing Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's Westminster seat. It also became the second largest party in Tameside as Labour lost its majority in the Greater Manchester council after an uninterrupted run of 47 years in charge. Reform's successes also included wins in Havering, its first London borough, and taking Essex County Council and Suffolk from the Conservatives.
Mr Farage said: 'It's a big, big day, not just for our party, but for a complete reshaping of British politics in every way.'
Green Party Rise
Labour also suffered from voters switching to the Green Party, with Zack Polanski declaring the era of two-party politics 'is not just dying, it is dead and it is buried.' In London, the Green Party defeated Labour mayors in Hackney and Lewisham, while in Manchester the Greens gained 17 seats. The Green Party gained control of Norwich and put on 65 councillors overall.
Internal Pressure on Starmer
Former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh told ITV Calendar: 'I think what is abundantly clear is that unless the Government delivers significant and urgent change, then the Prime Minister cannot lead us into another election.' Richard Burgon, leader of the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs, demanded Sir Keir set out the timetable for his departure. 'It is clear that Keir has fought his last election as Labour leader and, deep down, he will know it,' he said.
Andrea Egan, general secretary of the Unison union, warned 'Labour faces political oblivion because it's simply not delivering for the majority of people' and 'there'll clearly be a change of Labour leader sooner or later.'
Key Results Summary
- Labour net loss of 416 seats and 14 authorities.
- Reform UK gained control of five councils and added 683 seats.
- Conservatives suffered a net loss of three councils and 258 councillors.
- Liberal Democrats won control in Portsmouth and gained a net 39 seats.
- Green Party gained control of Norwich and put on 65 councillors.
- In Scotland, SNP had 53 seats after 65 first-past-the-post results.
- In Wales, Plaid Cymru had 33 seats, Reform 24, Labour eight, Conservatives five, Greens two.
