Keir Starmer's leadership is facing renewed pressure after Labour suffered significant losses in local elections, losing control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and Tamworth. The party lost every council seat it contested in Hartlepool to Reform UK, a result that echoes the 2021 byelection defeat that nearly prompted Starmer to resign.
Labour MP Jonathan Brash called on the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure, saying: “I think the very best thing the prime minister could do now is address the nation tomorrow and set out a timetable for his departure.” Downing Street has reportedly brought in extra advisers to help Starmer survive the coming days.
By early Friday, Labour had lost more than 229 council seats, over half of those it contested, while Reform UK gained 305 seats. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy urged loyalty, stating: “You don’t change the pilot during a flight.” Polling expert John Curtice described the night as one of “substantial success” for Reform.
Labour held on in London, retaining Hammersmith and Fulham and fending off the Liberal Democrats in Merton. However, losses were heavy in the north and Midlands, including in the constituencies of potential leadership challengers Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. Conservative peer Robert Hayward noted: “The one bright spot so far for Starmer is that all his natural challengers are seeing their own base swept away.”
