FACTBOX - Starmer is the latest prime minister threatened by UK political instability
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces growing calls to resign after Labour suffered major losses in local elections across England, Wales, and Scotland, with Reform UK gaining 1,451 seats—the largest gain among contenders. The setback marks a decade of political volatility in the UK, with five prime ministers since 2016 and multiple Cabinet resignations, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who cited loss of confidence in Starmer’s leadership.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to resign following Labour’s disastrous performance in last week’s elections across Scotland, Wales, and 136 English local authorities. The party lost 1,496 seats in England, winning only 1,068 of the 2,500 it was defending, while Reform UK gained 1,451 seats—the largest increase among all parties. In Wales, Labour suffered its first national election defeat in over 100 years, and in Scotland, the Scottish National Party retained power for a fifth consecutive term. The electoral losses have intensified pressure on Starmer, with over 80 lawmakers and multiple Cabinet members demanding his resignation or a clear timeline for his departure. Wes Streeting, the UK health secretary, resigned on Thursday, citing the results as a key factor in his decision and expressing a loss of confidence in Starmer’s leadership. Streeting is the fifth minister to resign under Starmer, following Jess Phillips, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Alex Davies-Jones, and Zubir Ahmed. The UK’s political instability mirrors trends from the past decade, during which it has seen five prime ministers—Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer—averaging one change every two years. This volatility contrasts sharply with the stability of the previous 47 years (1979–2016), when only five prime ministers served: Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. Historically, such instability was last seen between 1922 and 1937, when seven governments changed hands. However, the current period stands out due to its prolonged nature and the frequency of leadership changes. The Labour Party’s decline in local elections reflects broader challenges, including rising support for Reform UK and persistent public dissatisfaction with governance. Despite the pressure, Starmer has insisted he will ‘get on with governing,’ though his ability to maintain control remains uncertain. The resignations and electoral losses highlight deep divisions within Labour and growing skepticism about his leadership amid a decade marked by political turbulence.
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