Live Updates: Early U.K. Local Election Results Point to Big Losses for Starmer’s Party

Early results from Thursday’s U.K. local elections reveal significant losses for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which has shed over 260 council seats by midday Friday. Reform U.K., the right-wing populist party led by Nigel Farage, secured more than 400 seats across England, challenging the dominance of Labour and the Conservative Party. Starmer admitted voters had rejected his leadership but insisted he would not resign, calling the losses a verdict on his 22-month tenure. Reform’s gains mark a historic shift in British politics, with Farage declaring the party’s rise as a national force despite holding just eight seats in Parliament. Labour’s losses extend to Wales, where it has won every general election since 1922, and its support has been eroded by the Green Party and Liberal Democrats, which gained 26 and 35 seats respectively. Polls had already predicted Labour’s decline, with Starmer ranking among the least popular British leaders in modern history. The results underscore a fractured electorate, as multiple parties threaten the traditional two-party system. The Conservatives, who ruled for 14 years before Labour’s 2024 victory, face further decline amid public dissatisfaction. Starmer’s unpopularity stems from perceived flip-flops on taxes, welfare, immigration, and digital IDs, as well as controversies like appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Scotland’s elections remain unresolved, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) pushing for independence after nearly two decades in power. Wales and other English councils are still counting votes, but Labour’s losses could weaken its grip on local governance. Farage’s success signals a shift toward populist politics, while Starmer’s refusal to step down suggests he will press ahead despite the setback.