Millions of Britons on Thursday voted in local and regional elections expected to deal a major setback to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the ruling Labour Party, raising pressure on his leadership less than two years after Labour’s landslide general election victory.
The elections, covering nearly 5,000 council seats in England and parliamentary contests in Scotland and Wales, could reshape British politics as voters increasingly shift away from the traditional Labour-Conservative dominance toward populist and nationalist parties.
Polls indicate Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is set to make significant gains in England, while the Greens are threatening Labour strongholds in London and other major cities. In Scotland and Wales, nationalist parties are also expected to strengthen their influence.
Analysts say heavy losses could intensify calls for Starmer to resign or announce a timetable for his departure. Concerns over political instability have already contributed to rising UK borrowing costs, with investors worried a future Labour leader could adopt more left-wing spending policies.
Starmer has vowed to remain in office, promising an “active, interventionist government” focused on tackling Britain’s cost-of-living crisis, worsened by conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. He warned against what he described as “politics of grievance and division” promoted by populist movements.
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The prime minister has also faced mounting controversy over his past appointment of Labour veteran Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States. The issue escalated following scrutiny of Mandelson’s past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as his business connections to Russia and China.
Within Labour, frustration has grown as campaigners report voter anger during the elections. Some lawmakers are reportedly considering moves to pressure Starmer to step aside, although potential successors, including Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner, are not yet positioned to launch leadership bids.
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson urged party members against turning on Starmer, warning that internal divisions would only alienate voters further.
