Labour Loses UK Local Elections

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting to keep his position after the Labour Party suffered heavy losses in last week's local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales. The results have prompted dozens of Labour lawmakers to call for his resignation or to set a timetable for his departure.

Starmer plans to deliver a speech on Monday arguing that he can change course and revive the government's standing. One lawmaker said she will attempt to trigger a leadership contest if the speech does not meet expectations. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the party needs to change and that the prime minister must meet the moment.

The elections were viewed as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has fallen sharply since the party won a landslide victory less than two years ago. Labour was squeezed from both the right and left, losing support to the anti-immigration Reform UK and the Green Party.

This outcome highlights the growing fragmentation of British politics, which has long been dominated by Labour and the Conservatives. Starmer told a newspaper on Sunday that he intends to remain in office for a decade. He is pinning hopes on the Monday speech and on an ambitious legislative agenda to be presented Wednesday by King Charles III at the State Opening of Parliament.

A central element of the new plans involves closer relations with the European Union, which the United Kingdom left in 2020. The government has already taken steps to ease some trade restrictions imposed after Brexit. Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU or its customs union and single market.