What a crucial set of election results means for Keir Starmer’s future

After Labour’s demise was overestimated, the prime minister’s potential challengers are staying quiet – for now Full results from England, Scotland and Wales Elections mapped: how Labour lost ground in different directions As the results rolled in, a trickle of voices from MPs in the governing Labour party calling for Keir Starmer to name an exit date turned into a steady stream. The numbers in England’s crucial local election results on Friday were undoubtedly bad for Labour, as Reform UK made sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the Midlands and north, including the historically deep red Sunderland and Hartlepool. These could even be the party’s worst losses for 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors gone alongside the loss of control of the Welsh parliament – and similar disappointment expected in Scotland. However, the momentum for a decisive challenge to Starmer stopped short of sweeping through the cabinet or provoking resignations – in the way that often happens when a party leader finds their time is up in the British system. Lou Haigh, a former cabinet minister from the social democratic group in the middle of Labour’s ideological spectrum, wa