Starmer under pressure as his party suffers heavy election losses

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure after his Labour Party suffered heavy early losses in local elections, reflecting deep voter dissatisfaction less than two years after its landslide national victory.

Labour lost significant support in early results across England, including in traditional strongholds in central and northern regions, as well as parts of London. The main beneficiary has been Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which gained more than 300 council seats.

“The picture has been pretty much as bad as anyone expected for Labour, or worse,” pollster John Curtice told Reuters.

The results point to a broader shift in British politics, with analysts highlighting the fragmentation of the traditional two-party system. Both Labour and the Conservatives are losing ground not only to Reform UK but also to smaller parties, including the Greens, while nationalist parties are expected to perform strongly in Scotland and Wales.

Farage described the outcome as a “historic change in British politics”.

Labour’s losses have been particularly stark in key councils. The party lost control of Tameside in Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly 50 years, while in nearby Wigan it lost all 20 contested seats. In Salford, Labour retained just three of 16 seats.

The results were “soul-destroying”, said Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey.

The elections, covering 136 local councils in England alongside devolved votes in Scotland and Wales, are seen as the most significant test of public opinion ahead of the next general election scheduled for 2029.

Some Labour lawmakers warn that a poor overall performance — particularly in Scotland and Wales — could intensify calls for Starmer to step down or set a timetable for his departure. However, senior allies have rejected such moves.

Defence Secretary John Healey said voters did not want “the potential chaos of a leadership election,” adding: “I think he can still deliver, he can still turn it round.”

Starmer, elected in 2024 on a promise of stability, has faced criticism over policy U-turns and controversies, which analysts say have eroded his authority.

By Tamilla Hasanova