According to partial results of local elections in England released today, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ruling Labour Party suffered heavy losses while the far-right Reform UK party advanced.
This election is also being seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has fallen since he was elected less than two years ago.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK party has won hundreds of local council seats in working-class areas in the north of England such as Hartlepool, which was once a "solid" Labour territory. Analysts say the picture will change throughout the day as results from most local councils, including Labour strongholds such as London, come in.
Voting is also important for the semi-autonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales.
The Labour disarray could trigger moves by disgruntled MPs to oust the leader who brought them to power in July 2024. Even if Starmer "survives" for now, many analysts doubt he will lead the party in the next national election, which must be held by 2029.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned the party not to bring down the prime minister, declaring that "you don't change the pilot mid-flight."
The Green Party is also hoping to increase its share and win hundreds of council seats in urban centres and university towns. The results reflect the fragmentation of British politics after decades of Labour and Conservative dominance.
The Reform UK party, which sends an anti-establishment, anti-immigration message, is also hoping to make inroads in Scotland and Wales, although the pro-independence nationalists Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru are more likely to form governments in Edinburgh and Cardiff.
Starmer's popularity has plummeted after repeated mistakes and changes of course on policies such as welfare reform. His government is struggling to deliver on promises of economic growth, repair broken public services and reduce the cost of living, tasks made even more difficult by the US-Israeli war against Iran that has blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The prime minister has been further weakened by the disastrous decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a friend of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as British ambassador to Washington.
A poor election result for Labour could trigger challenges from prominent rivals such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Starmer could also come under pressure from within the party to set a deadline for his departure after a proper leadership contest.
"I don't think Keir Starmer should survive this result," said Labour MP Jonathan Brush, who represents Hartlepool in Parliament.
"We need to be bolder, and we need to go further. And frankly we need new leadership to make it happen," he said.
Starmer said he would not resign, Reuters reported.
He added that he expects to continue as party leader in the next general election.
"I'm not leaving," Starmer told British media.
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