Labour suffers heavy losses in UK local elections

By 8 May 2026, Labour had suffered heavy losses in local elections in the United Kingdom, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK made large gains. Labour lost hundreds of seats. Reform UK took control of Sunderland City Council from Labour and won more than a thousand seats in England. Labour also lost power in Wales, the Greens won two mayoralties, and pro-independence parties gained across Britain.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will not resign and vowed to fight on. Calls for him to resign mounted, including from Labour MPs and trade unionists, and he is under pressure to agree an exit plan.