Keir Starmer faces leadership pressure as Labour suffers heavy election losses

Local and regional elections across England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday delivered a “tough” set of results that have stripped Labour of its long‑standing dominance in Wales, eroded its foothold in the English heartlands and left the prime minister battling calls for his departure.

Reform UK emerged as the biggest winner, taking control of councils and, according to the BBC’s projected national share (PNS), securing 26 % of the vote – ahead of the Greens on 18 % and Labour and the Conservatives tied on 17 %. The PNS, calculated from results in more than 1,000 wards, “appears to confirm the end of the traditional dominance of the big two parties in the UK”, the BBC notes.

Media additions

Labour’s losses were stark. The party shed “more than 1,400 council seats” in England, according to The Guardian, while the BBC put the figure at “more than 1,100 English council seats”. In Wales, Labour fell from a 27‑year rule to a rump of just nine members in an expanded Senedd, with Plaid Cymru becoming the largest party for the first time in more than a century. In Scotland Labour finished a distant second, tied with Reform on 17 seats, after the SNP retained its position as the largest party.

Amid the rout, an estimated 22 Labour MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down or at least set a timetable for his exit. The pressure is not limited to the backbenches; senior figures in the cabinet have largely rallied behind him, while union leaders and former party general secretaries have issued mixed messages.

"I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos."

Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, via BBC

Starmer framed the results as a “very tough” moment that demanded responsibility but not resignation. He promised a “reset” of his premiership.

Key voices inside Labour

• Wes Streeting, Health Secretary – told the BBC he would “have my support” for Starmer’s response and urged the party to “take responsibility” for the losses while delivering the change voters “are crying out for”.
• Louise Haigh, former Transport Secretary – warned that Labour “cannot lead us into another election” without urgent change, but cautioned against “an irresponsible, messy, internal contest”.
• Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor – blocked from becoming an MP earlier in the year, he is viewed by many on the soft left as a potential challenger.

Opposition and outsider parties

Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage hailed the outcome as a “truly historic shift in British politics”, declaring the “old era of Labour and Conservative domination had ended”.

The Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, celebrated its rise, with Polanski posting, “Two‑party politics isn’t dying. It’s dead and it’s buried”. The Greens secured the Hackney mayoralty.

In Wales, Plaid Cymru topped the Senedd, while Reform UK became the main opposition. The SNP retained its dominance in Scotland but fell short of an overall majority.

Timeline of the fallout

Date	Event
Friday, 9 May 2026	BBC reports Labour loss of more than 1,100 English council seats; 22 MPs call for Starmer’s resignation.
Friday, 9 May 2026	Starmer declares he will not walk away.
Friday evening, 9 May 2026	Cabinet ministers rally on X; Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasises Labour’s mandate.
Saturday, 10 May 2026	Starmer publishes an opinion piece in the Guardian pledging unity.
Tuesday, 14 May 2026	Union leaders call for an urgent meeting with the prime minister; Unite’s Sharon Graham says “the writing is on the wall”.

What to watch next

• Leadership timetable – Will Starmer set a date for a leadership contest, or will he consolidate support behind a “reset”?
• Union negotiations – An urgent meeting with trade union leaders could reshape Labour’s economic policy and “political strategy”, as unions have demanded.