Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure following significant election losses for his Labour party. The results in Wales, Scotland, and England have led to demands for his resignation. Labour has lost control of Wales after 27 years of governance. Reform UK emerged as a major winner in England, gaining over 1,400 council seats.
These election outcomes mark a substantial setback for Labour. In Wales, the party no longer holds power, with Plaid Cymru becoming the largest party in the devolved parliament. Reform UK is now the main opposition there. Scotland saw the SNP remain the largest party, but Labour finished far behind in second place. Reform UK also made inroads in Scotland, tying with Labour on 17 seats.
The results challenge Labour's long-held dominance in UK politics. The projected national share (PNS) in England places Reform UK at 26% of the vote. The Green Party follows on 18%. Labour and the Conservatives are tied in third place with 17% each. This suggests a potential end to the historical two-party system in the United Kingdom.
Sir Keir Starmer has stated he will not resign to avoid plunging the country into chaos. He wrote an article for The Guardian vowing to stay the course. He wants to build unity within the party. "We must respond to the message that voters have sent us," he stated. He believes this does not mean shifting policies left or right. It means uniting a broad political movement and being assertive about values.
Leading figures within Labour have expressed support for Starmer. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would back the leader. He also called for the government to take responsibility for the losses. "We must show they can still deliver the change that people are crying out for," Streeting said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated Labour won a mandate to change the country in 2024. "We must get on with delivering that mandate," she added.
However, pressure continues to build. At least 22 Labour MPs publicly called for Starmer to step down or set a departure timetable by late Friday evening. Privately, criticism extends beyond the party's left wing. Louise Haigh, a former transport secretary, acknowledged Starmer's unpopularity on the doorstep. She warned that he might not be able to lead the party into another election if he does not change his approach. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is seen as a potential successor by some MPs.
Union leaders have urged Starmer to quit. Unite leader Sharon Graham said the "writing is on the wall" for his government. Four former Labour general secretaries, however, called for the party to focus on its plans for the country. They urged them to avoid internal arguments about leadership. Unions backing Labour have requested an urgent meeting with Starmer to discuss the disastrous results.