Labour’s better than expected thrashing may allow Starmer to cling on in No 10
Results are undoubtedly bad but expectations had been set even lower, and any potential challengers are quiet for now Elections 2026 – live updates Full results from England, Scotland and Wales As the local elections results rolled in, a trickle of voices were calling for Keir Starmer to quit – a couple of MPs, a trade union leader, and a Labour peer. The numbers are undoubtedly bad for Labour , with Reform making sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the north and midlands. These could
After Labour’s demise was overestimated, the prime minister’s potential challengers are staying quiet – for now
Elections 2026 – live updates
Full results from England, Scotland and Wales
As the results rolled in, a trickle of voices were calling for Keir Starmer to quit – MPs from the governing Labour party, some trade union leaders, and a Labour peer.
The numbers in England’s crucial local election results on Friday were undoubtedly bad for Labour, as Reform UK made sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the Midlands and north, including the historically deep red Sunderland and Hartlepool. These could even be the party’s worst losses for 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors gone alongside the potential loss of control of the Welsh parliament – and similar disappointment expected in Scotland.
Coverage from 2 sources
- Labour’s better than expected thrashing may allow Starmer to cling on in No 10Guardian - World · Rowena Mason Whitehall editor · May 8, 2026, 12:15 PM
- Keir Starmer left in limbo after bad election results that could have been worseGuardian - World · Rowena Mason Whitehall editor · May 8, 2026, 5:16 PM
Coverage by lean
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