"The numbers are undoubtedly bad for Labour, with Reform making sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the north and Midlands. These could even be the party's worst losses for 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors gone and the potential loss of control of the Welsh parliament. However, the momentum for a decisive challenge to Starmer was not yet sweeping through the cabinet or rousing MPs on Friday morning in the way that happens when a party leader finds their time is up."
"Starmer has been preparing for this moment for months. He was out early for a visit where he made clear he was going nowhere and was not prepared to set out a timetable for his departure. Keir Starmer says he will not resign despite 'tough' local election losses video Special advisers have been called back to Downing Street to shore up his support, a move also intended to stop them plotting with cabinet ministers in favour of a replacement."
"The prime minister's aides have briefed that he is planning a speech next week, which will inevitably be seen as another reset. Starmer has also been fortunate that polling experts appear to have overestimated the losses he faced with both John Curtice and Michael Thrasher revising their predictions to more like 1,200 defeats early on Friday; the benchmark for catastrophe for Labour had previously been set by experts at 1,800 to 2,000 defeats."
"By midday, Labour had lost control of at least eight councils but also held on to a few seeing off a Liberal Democrat challenge in the London borough of Merton, as well clinging on in Lincoln, Plymouth and Reading. Halfway through the results, it did not seem like a Green wave was going to displace Labour across the capital as some MPs had feared although Zack Polanski's party won the Hackney mayoralty and had high hopes for Lewisham, Camden and oth"
Labour faces major setbacks in local elections, including sweeping Reform gains in pro-Brexit areas across the north and Midlands. Losses could be the party’s worst in 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors lost and potential loss of control of the Welsh parliament. Calls for Keir Starmer to quit have emerged from some MPs, a trade union leader, and a Labour peer, but momentum for a decisive challenge has not spread through the cabinet or among MPs. Starmer has been preparing for months, has said he will not resign, and has refused to set a timetable for departure. Special advisers have been recalled to Downing Street to strengthen support and prevent plotting. Polling experts revised expected defeats downward, and Labour has lost control of multiple councils while retaining some, including in Merton, Lincoln, Plymouth, and Reading. A Green surge has not fully displaced Labour in London, though other parties have gained specific victories.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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