Starmer says he won't quit after local elections deliver drubbing

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to resign Friday after Labour suffered devastating losses in local elections, where Reform UK and nationalist parties made significant gains. The elections, seen as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership, left Labour losing control of Welsh government for the first time in 27 years and 33 councils nationwide. Labour lost nearly 1,400 councillors, while Reform UK gained 1,500, seizing 13 councils, including historic Labour strongholds in northern England. The Greens also made gains, with leader Zack Polanski declaring the era of two-party politics 'dead and buried.' Starmer acknowledged the results were 'very tough' but insisted he would not quit, despite pressure from within his party. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the results a 'truly historic shift,' celebrating victories in both Labour and Conservative-held areas. Wales saw Labour’s dominance collapse, with Plaid Cymru winning 43 seats and Reform UK taking 34, leaving Labour in third place. The losses reflect voter frustration over economic struggles and broken promises, including Labour’s failure to deliver promised growth. The elections covered 5,000 English council seats and the devolved parliaments of Scotland and Wales. Labour’s losses came despite winning a landslide general election victory just two years ago. Pollster John Curtice noted the results showed unprecedented political fragmentation, with Reform UK appealing to socially conservative voters disillusioned by both major parties. Starmer’s survival hinges on his ability to address economic concerns and policy missteps, as calls for his resignation grow louder. Reform UK’s rise signals a broader realignment in British politics, with nationalist and anti-immigration parties gaining influence.