Labour told not to cry on camera as polls close on elections | UK | News
The vote culminated in local and devolved elections that many believe could trigger the unraveling of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership; Labor faced potentially devastating losses in England, Scotland and Wales.
Up to 1,800 council seats are expected to fall across England’s 136 counties, and the party’s 27-year dominance in Wales appears to be over as Plaid Cymru and Reform approach. North of the border, the SNP is expected to remain in Holyrood and Labor is expected to remain in third place – although Reform could move into second place if Farage’s party delivers the strong performance its supporters expect. The mood within the party is so somber that activists have reportedly been warned not to be caught crying on camera as results are announced over the next two days.
Who could replace Keir Starmer as Labor leader?
If the results are as bad as expected, the pressure on Sir Keir will intensify significantly; as does an examination of the senior Labor figures positioned to replace him. The names most frequently mentioned as potential successors are Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham; but each carries significant baggage.
Ms Rayner continues to negotiate with HMRC over the outstanding tax. Mr Burnham is not currently in the House of Commons and must win the Westminster seat in a by-election before mounting a leadership challenge.
Meanwhile, an aide told the Daily Mail there was no consensus on any successor and the field was wide open.
What is Keir Starmer’s survival strategy?
Ser Keir’s allies are preparing what has been described as a desperate survival plan for the immediate aftermath. Sir Keir will make a major speech on Monday aimed at calming rebel backbenchers, with closer EU ties expected to feature, government sources say.
Downing Street is also understood to be undecided about the timing of a possible cabinet reshuffle, with some pushing for it to happen on Saturday before the count has even been completed. An aide told the Daily Mail that the idea was “getting a lot of attention” and any revisions would need to be completed before Monday’s speech.
But the same aide cast doubt on its effectiveness. “What’s the point of a reshuffle if you’re going to sack Liz Kendall and Peter Kyle?” they said. “It doesn’t move the dial.”
Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell struck a negative tone after the polls closed, saying: “These elections took place in a tough and difficult context. After more than a decade of Britain being left behind, working people up and down the country rightly want to see the whole of the UK firing on all cylinders for their own benefit. Labor has set out to deliver on that promise and we are determined to make that happen for everyone, everywhere.”
What are the wider implications for British politics?
The results are expected to deal a serious blow to Britain’s traditional two-party dominance, with disappointed voters turning to Reform and the Greens in numbers that could reshape the political landscape.
The Greens expect significant gains across London, with the More in Common poll suggesting Labor could be ousted from its stronghold on Birmingham City Council by Reform. Many within the party suspect that the magnitude of the losses will be enough to oust Sir Keir from power, even if there is no clear successor.
Nearly 25,000 candidates are running for more than 5,000 council seats across England. Scotland’s entire 129-seat Holyrood parliament is being contested, with Welsh voters electing all 96 Senedd members.
Speaking at a campaign rally in St Helens, Merseyside, Nigel Farage boasted that Labor would be “destroyed” in the Red Wall areas of the North and Midlands.
