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Labour Routed in Local and Welsh Elections as Reform and Greens Surge

The results expose a fractured electorate, intensifying pressure on Keir Starmer's leadership.

Multiple Labour MPs warned, however passionate or persuasive Sir Keir Starmer is, his remarks are unlikely to help (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty)
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Britain's Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts next to newly elected councillors at the Havering Town Hall, following the results of the local elections, in the London Borough of Havering, Britain, May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Jack Taylor
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Overview

  • Final tallies following Thursday’s local and devolved elections show Labour losing roughly 1,000 to 1,500 council seats in England and being ousted from power in Wales for the first time since devolution.
  • Reform UK gained about 1,300 to 1,400 English council seats and took control of multiple authorities, including its first London borough, Havering.
  • The Green Party advanced in urban strongholds, winning the Hackney and Lewisham mayoralties and taking councils such as Waltham Forest and Norwich.
  • Keir Starmer said he will not resign after the defeats, as Labour MPs and unions push for a departure timetable, and he moved to show change by appointing Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman to advisory roles ahead of a speech on Monday.
  • Devolved results deepened the shift, with Plaid Cymru becoming the largest party in the Welsh Senedd and Eluned Morgan losing her seat, while the SNP stayed dominant in Scotland, and BBC projections put national vote shares in the high‑teens for four parties with Reform near 26%, signaling a higher chance of a hung parliament.