Partial results show losses for Starmer’s Labour and wins for Reform UK in local elections

Partial results from local elections in England showed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ruling Labor Party suffered major losses, while the far-right Reform UK party made gains.

The votes are widely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, who was elected less than two years ago.

In areas that counted ballots overnight, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, won hundreds of local council seats in working-class areas in the north of England, such as Hartlepool.

Results will be announced later on Friday for the majority of local councils, including Labor strongholds such as London, and semi-autonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales.