Starmer under pressure, as Labour suffers heavy elections losses

Sir Keir Starmer has firmly stated that he will not resign as Prime Minister, emphasizing that such an action would "plunge the country into chaos," as the Labour Party faces substantial election losses.

The election outcomes from England, Scotland, and Wales have intensified the pressure on Sir Keir, with some Labour MPs urging him to outline a timeline for his resignation, even as cabinet members continue to support him.

Labour has seen its control in Wales come to an end, concluding a 27-year reign, while the SNP is poised to retain its status as the largest party in Scotland.

Reform UK has emerged as the key victor in England, securing over 1,400 seats and gaining control of councils in regions where Labour and the Conservatives have historically been dominant.

The BBC's projected national share (PNS), derived from results across more than 1,000 wards and predicting a general election based on similar voting patterns, indicates that Reform is now the largest party with a 26% vote share.

The PNS places the Greens in second position at 18%, followed closely by Labour and the Conservatives, who are tied at 17%. This outcome appears to signify a shift away from the historical dominance of the two major political parties in the UK.

Labour has lost upwards of 1,100 council seats in England, particularly impacting its strongholds in northern England and the Midlands. Counting is still underway as of Friday, leading to the anticipation of further challenging results.

The situation in Wales is equally dire for Labour; Plaid Cymru has emerged as the largest party in the devolved parliament, positioning Reform UK as the primary opposition party.

In Scotland, while the SNP is expected to maintain its position as the largest party, it is forecasted to fall short of securing an outright majority.

The disappointing performance of Labour has intensified scrutiny regarding Sir Keir's leadership, which has been under question for several months.

In an effort to alleviate pressure, Sir Keir penned an article for Saturday's Guardian, pledging to remain steadfast in his efforts to unify the party.

"While we must respond to the message that voters have sent us, that doesn't mean tacking right or left," he stated. "It means bringing together a broad political movement, being assertive about our values, bold in our vision, and addressing people's demands. Unifying rather than dividing."

As of late Friday evening, 22 Labour MPs had publicly called for the prime minister to either resign or establish a timetable for his exit, with internal criticism extending beyond the party's left wing.

Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, acknowledged the unpopularity of Sir Keir had arisen during interactions with constituents but emphasized that now was not the appropriate moment for a leadership challenge.

"We cannot descend into an irresponsible, messy, internal contest," Haigh told the BBC, while cautioning that if the prime minister did not modify his approach, he "cannot lead us into another election."

Haigh is recognized as a significant voice among Labour's so-called soft left, which encompasses supporters of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Burnham is viewed as a potential rival to Sir Keir, having been blocked from seeking an MP position earlier this year; some MPs are reportedly waiting for his return to Westminster to initiate a leadership campaign.

In a speech on Friday morning, as initial results emerged in England, Sir Keir acknowledged the elections had proven "tough" but asserted, "I'm not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos."

Sir Keir is anticipated to attempt a reset of his premiership in the coming week, once the fallout from the elections settles.

In a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, the majority of cabinet ministers expressed solidarity with the prime minister.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves remarked that Sir Keir "won a mandate to change our country," urging the need to "get on with delivering that mandate - and show how politics can improve people's lives for the better."

Defence Secretary John Healey expressed his belief that the prime minister could "still turn this around," while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper cautioned against a "knee-jerk reaction" to the election results.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is also a prominent figure on the soft left, was among the last ministers to share his thoughts, indicating that "these are devastating results for Labour."

"As Keir has said, we must go further in delivering the mandate for change that Labour won in 2024 - and show how we will answer the call for change in our country," he noted.

Certain union leaders have called for Sir Keir to resign, with Unite leader Sharon Graham asserting that the "writing is on the wall" for the prime minister's government.

Conversely, four former Labour general secretaries have encouraged the party to prioritize its agenda for national improvement rather than engage in leadership disputes.

The unions that provide financial backing to Labour have requested an "urgent meeting" with the prime minister, suggesting that the "disastrous election results" signal a "stark disconnect between the Labour government and working people."

In a joint statement, which includes support from unions that are typically more aligned with Labour leadership, they advocate for a redirection regarding "economic policy and political strategy."

'Historic shift'

In Wales, Plaid Cymru emerged as the party with the most seats in the Senedd; however, it fell short of achieving an overall majority, with Reform UK securing the second position.

This marks the first instance in over a century that Labour has lost a national vote in Wales, leaving the party with a limited representation of just nine members in an expanded Senedd.

In a result that highlights the depth of Labour's decline, First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat and subsequently announced her decision to resign as leader of the Welsh party.

In Scotland, the SNP appears set to extend its 19-year tenure in power.

In a notable upset, SNP minister Angus Robertson lost his Edinburgh seat to the Scottish Greens, who expressed their excitement about the prospect of gaining seats.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar stated that the party "didn't win the argument" and reiterated his previous call for Sir Keir to step down as Prime Minister.

Reform UK has gained the most ground in England, with party leader Nigel Farage proclaiming that the results signify a "truly historic shift in British politics."

Speaking in Havering, a council that Reform UK has taken control of, Farage stated that the era of Labour and Conservative dominance has concluded, pledging that "the best is yet to come" for his party.

The Greens also achieved notable successes in England, securing numerous councilors and the Hackney mayoralty in London.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski remarked that the results showcase the demise of two-party politics and that voters have repudiated the Prime Minister.

The Liberal Democrats have experienced mixed results, gaining control of Stockport and Portsmouth while losing control of Hull council.

In Portsmouth, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asserted that Labour and the Conservatives have "let the country down," leading voters to be drawn towards "extreme" parties like Reform and the Greens.

Like Labour, the Conservatives also suffered losses, shedding hundreds of councillors, with Reform UK capturing traditional strongholds such as Brentwood, Tamworth, North East Lincolnshire, and Essex.

Nonetheless, the party enjoyed some success in London, regaining control of Westminster from Labour and emerging as the largest party in Wandsworth.