Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for a disappointing night as polls slam shut across England for this year’s local elections.
Over the last two weeks, Ed Miliband has called on Sir Keir to set out a timeline for his departure amid concerns he will be forced out of Downing Street.
Sources close to the Energy Secretary told The Times he made the suggestion during a private meeting with Sir Keir about a fortnight ago.
Mr Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, was said by colleagues to be “very down” and privately in despair over the probable scale of Labour’s losses to Reform UK and the Greens.
A spokesman for Mr Miliband would not comment on “private conversations.”
However, they added: “We do not accept this account”, without disputing that the discussion had taken place and declined to say how the accounts differed.
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First Labour MP goes over the top to call for Keir Starmer’s head – before a single seat has been lost
The first Labour MP of the night has called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign before a single seat has been lost by the party.
Barry Gardiner, who has served as MP for Brent North since 1997, has told the Express that “Britain deserves a Prime Minister who can deliver the positive change we were promised”.
The party veteran said: “Leadership brings responsibility. Labour’s defeat is Keir’s. He must accept that and stand aside.
“We need a leader who will restore the hope and optimism people had when they voted Labour in 2024.”
‘Kemi’s in trouble!’ Reform UK chairman issues damning verdict on Tory performance – as party admits: ‘It’s been difficult’
Reform chairman Dr David Bull has told GB News that Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is in “trouble” after her party admitted Thursday’s local elections had been “difficult”.
Speaking to the People’s Channel after polls closed, Dr David hailed the growth of Reform as “nothing short of remarkable”.
After being asked by Martin Daubney whether he had seen any evidence of the so-called “Kemi bounce”, he said: “I think they’re in trouble as well – not to the same extent as Starmer, but I do think Kemi is in trouble.”
Dr David added: “I don’t think the media are concentrating enough on the demise of the Conservative Party.
“I find it very rich that they’re sort of now singing from the Reform playbook. I just want to say to them, you had 14 years to sort all of this out.
“Let’s look at the 200,000 illegal migrants that came here since 2018 on your watch, Conservative Party. You did nothing about it.”
Reform UK feeling ‘bullish’ after polls slam shut across Britain
Reform sources have told GB News they are feeling “bullish” after voting closed across England, Scotland and Wales.
Party insiders disclosed to the People’s Channel that they are expecting to gain control of around 20 councils.
They say Nigel Farage has worked harder than both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch combined during this campaign.
“They can say what they want about Reform, but they can’t say we’ve not tried our best,” sources added.
The party have put up a “cocktail list” at their HQ, taking swipes at their rivals.
Drinks on offer include the “Rachel Reeves ‘Rita” with “growth not included”, and the “Kemi Badenoch Bellini, now with 100 per cent less sustained momentum”.
The “Nigel Negroni” is described as “unmistakably strong”.
Union chiefs call on Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister
Union chiefs have called for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister as they said Labour has moved “too slow.”
One told The Telegraph: “He needs to go.
“The change and progress that was promised before the general election just hasn’t materialised. People are frustrated.”
“Rebuilding trust has become so much harder because of Keir Starmer. The party desperately needs a bolder vision that speaks directly to the cost-of-living crisis.”
Another added: “The Government is not good enough. It is too slow. The British state is bloated and enfeebled. It needs somebody to get things moving and cut through it.”
Keir Starmer thanks Labour activists
Sir Keir Starmer casting his vote earlier today
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GETTY
Sir Keir Starmer thanked party activists after polls closed in a set of elections widely seen as the biggest test for his premiership since the general election.
In a post on social media, the Prime Minister said: “To all the Labour members and volunteers who have supported local campaigns across the country: thank you.
“Together we will build a stronger and fairer Britain.”
Zia Yusuf ‘confident’ Reform UK will do well across England
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf said he’s “confident” his party is “going to do extremely well” as he suggested tonight was the beginning of “a new era of politics”.
The party’s Home Affairs spokesman added that he is “very confident” Sir Keir Starmer will be ousted from Downing Street, calling him an “awful, awful Prime Minister”.
Andy Burnham pulls out of keynote speech as Keir Starmer’s future hangs in the balance
Andy Burnham has pulled out of a keynote speech in Manchester tomorrow as Sir Keir Starmer’s future remains on a knife edge.
The Greater Manchester Mayor was billed to speak at the Festival of Childhood in Manchester tomorrow.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Daisy Cooper calls for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has said her party is “raring to go” as she called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister.
The party’s deputy leader said campaigners have knocked on “thousands and thousands of doors right up and down the country”.
The St Albans MP said they had heard people are “sick to the back teeth of the last Conservative [government] and now the Labour government”.
She added that Labour had “promised changed and they failed to deliver”, and said it “is time for the Prime minister to go”.
Candidates ‘faced abuse and intimidation’ over campaign
Candidates across England, Scotland and Wales “faced abuse and intimidation”, the Electoral Commission has said, although they added polling day had run “smoothly.”
Chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said: “Polling station staff dealt with any issues swiftly without disrupting the poll. Millions of people were able to cast their votes, and people had access to clear, reliable information about how to take part.
“We have been alert to the spread of false information, including AI-generated content. Where false or misleading information emerged, we worked quickly with partners to address and remove it. We have not seen significant deepfakes affecting these elections.
“Election teams across England will count the votes and declare results in their area over the coming days. In Scotland and Wales, counting will begin in the morning. Candidates, party agents and independent observers will be present at counts across Great Britain at every stage.
“We will now gather evidence from voters, candidates, administrators and campaigners to inform our assessment of these elections. We will look at voter satisfaction, the integrity of the polls, and the prevalence and impact of mis and disinformation.
“We will also look at the safety of those who stood for and ran in these elections.
“As in previous elections, we know some candidates have faced abuse and intimidation during their campaign. This comes at a great personal cost and damages our democracy. We will publish our findings in the autumn.”
Conservative chair says party had run ‘energetic and positive campaign’
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake acknowledged Thursday’s local elections had been “difficult”, but said his party had run “an energetic and positive campaign”
He said: “We have run an energetic and positive campaign, showcasing that we have a clear plan to get Britain working again and that we have the team to deliver it.
“It is clear that under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the Conservative Party has changed. Unlike Labour’s endless U-turns and scandals or the one man band that is Reform with a fishy five million pounds, Kemi is the only leader with a backbone. She will always stand up for what she thinks is right.
“We know that so soon after a historic general election defeat and contesting wards won during the party’s polling highs, that this will be a difficult set of elections for us.
“But we will continue to rebuild and to show the public that we have changed, to demonstrate that only this new Conservative Party is a credible alternative.”
David Lammy concedes elections have been ‘tough’ for Labour
As polls closed, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the elections had been “tough”.
He said: “I don’t want to sugarcoat it, the message from the doorstep is this is a tough election cycle. This is a mid-term set of elections with people concerned about the cost of living and wanting to see the Government go faster with quicker pace.”
Mr Lammy added that while Labour had run a “positive campaign”, the party’s “message of delivery” had been “drowned out by the politics of grievance”.
Labour’s deputy leader takes aim at Reform and Greens
Labour’s Deputy Leader Lucy Powell has admitted Labour is in for a “difficult night” as she took aim at Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski.
The Manchester Central MP said: “Labour has run positive, local campaigns right across the country, focused on our record of delivery, bringing communities together and addressing the public’s number one priority: easing the cost of living.
“The whole Party and government are so proud of our hardworking Labour candidates who serve their local communities and put themselves forward for election.
“These elections are tough and took place in a difficult context. After over a decade of Britain being held back, working people up and down the country rightly want to see the whole of our United Kingdom firing on all cylinders in their interests.
“Labour has started to deliver on that promise and we are determined to make it happen everywhere for everyone.
“Nigel Farage’s false promises and toxic politics won’t deliver the change people want to see. Zack Polanski has proved this week that he is unfit for office and has all the wrong answers to the problems our country faces.
“Labour will continue working every day putting our values into action and delivering the fairer future people want to see – by bearing down on the cost of living, fixing our NHS, taking on vested interests and rewiring the country to bring about a better Britain, built for all.”
Ed Davey claims Lib Dems are on course for eighth consecutive year of election gains
Sir Ed Davey voting earlier today
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PA
Sir Ed Davey said the Liberal Democrats are on course for an eighth consecutive year of election gains.
He said: “As the polls close, I want to say a huge thank you to the incredible army of Liberal Democrat volunteers who have knocked on over three and a half million doors during this campaign.
“That is double what we achieved last year, and it is your hard work that has put us on course for an historic eighth consecutive year of election gains.
“In former Conservative heartlands and old Labour strongholds alike, we are standing up for decency and real change.
“What we have heard on those three million doorsteps is a clear verdict. People are deeply disappointed with a Labour government that has been too timid to fix the country, but they are also appalled by the rise of Reform and Nigel Farage’s Trump-style politics.
“While those on the extremes of the right and the left want to burn everything down, Liberal Democrats want to fix what’s broken. Every Liberal Democrat local champion elected today will fight tirelessly for the communities they serve.”
Zack Polanski says Greens are ready for ‘record-breaking result’
Green Party leader Zack Polanski tonight predicted “a record-breaking result” for the party across England and Wales as polls closed.
Zack Polanski said: “I’ve travelled across England and Wales and I’m hearing the same everywhere I go, confidence that we will win more councillors than ever before.
“The news from the doorstep is that we will be taking seats from not just Labour but the Tories and Lib Dems too, from all across the country.
“Voters are responding to the fact that Greens are the only party taking the cost-of-living crisis seriously, with real plans to cut bills, reduce rents and provide genuinely affordable homes, as well as tackling the climate and nature crisis.
“Many councils are counting throughout Friday, so we will have to be patient to see the Green wins coming in.
“We are very confident that we will gain many seats in London, but we look forward to seeing results coming in from all across the country.
“From Newcastle and Bradford through to Sussex and of course, the Senedd election where we expect to make a historic Green breakthrough to Wales’ national parliament.”
Kemi Badenoch ‘inspired’ by work of local Conservatives
Kemi Badenoch at polling station in Essex with her husband Hamish
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PA
Kemi Badenoch said she was “inspired” by the work of local Conservatives as she thanked her team.
The Conservative leader said: “I have been so inspired by the work I’ve seen from our members, candidates and supporters who have been out knocking on doors, delivering leaflets and making calls.
“I’m proud and indeed lucky to lead such a great team of people
“Thank you for every conversation, every hour volunteered and every effort made to help us fight for a stronger, Conservative, future.”
Where are the key councils to look out for?
All 32 London borough councils will be a good indicator for how Labour are currently holding up, with the party being squeezed by both Reform UK and the Green Party.
While Zack Polanski’s party look to make gains in councils including Haringey, Hackney and Lewisham, Reform are looking to take on Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives for control of Bexley, Bromley and Hillingdon.
The Liberal Democrats are looking to keep control of their Richmond upon Thames stronghold and gain Merton off Labour, with the Conservatives aiming to take back the “crown jewel” councils of Wandsworth and Westminster.
Birmingham City Council is another key seat to keep an eye on, where all eyes will be on the performance of the pro-Gaza independents.
In the East of England Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives are braced for a tough night, as Reform UK is set to take the Tory strongholds of both Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as Thurrock from Labour.
Up in Yorkshire, the Greens are also set to perform well in cities such as Leeds, while the Lib Dems will be hoping to improve their showing in Sheffield.