Reform UK claiming hundreds of seats as Nigel Farage declares 'left-right politics is finished'

Local election results from across England are beginning to roll in - with Nigel Farage already declaring that "left-right politics" has come to a screeching halt.

Reform UK has picked up hundreds of seats so far, with Labour support collapsing across its traditional Red Wall heartlands.

“I think what you’re witnessing is an historic change in British politics. Forget left-right, there is no more left-right. It is gone, it is out of the window, it’s finished," Mr Farage told GB News.

“As you can see, we are scoring stunning percentages in traditional old Labour areas."

The PM is already facing calls from inside his own party to stand down, with Ed Miliband said to have called on him to set out a timeline for his departure.

Meanwhile, Labour veteran Barry Gardiner and Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash have both publicly called for Sir Keir Starmer to step down, while fury is mounting in Wales - with Labour expected to lose its 99-year grip on power.

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Robert Jenrick says Reform’s gains are ‘historic rejection of two old parties’

Robert Jenrick has told GB News Reform’s gains are "an historic rejection of the two old parties that failed the country for too long, in different ways."

He told the People’s Channel: "The Conservative Party promised that they were going to secure our borders and deliver a strong economy, but ended up delivering open borders and economic stagnation for working people, the length and breadth of the country.

"The Labour Party promised change, but they just delivered more of the same. And people have had enough.

"They can see the country is in a mess. They are stunned when they hear Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch deny that, and they are investing in Nigel Farage and Reform to turn this country around, deliver wage growth, bring down people's bills, get crime down, secure our borders, lower immigration, do the things that they have been crying out for for years and years."

​James Cleverly concedes Reform UK ‘doing well’

Sir James Cleverly has conceded Reform UK "are doing well".

Speaking this morning, Sir James went on to blast the Reform leader over the “big questions” surrounding a £5million gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne ahead of the 2024 General Election.

Reform hot on Liberal Democrats' heels in closest results so far

Reform UK has come second-place in a tight-knit race with the Liberal Democrats in the closest call of the election so far.

In Saddleworth South in Oldham, the Liberal Democrats took home 1594 votes (35.04 per cent) and 1592 (35 per cent), separated by just two votes.

​James Cleverly: ‘It’s been a tough night for us…but disastrous for Labour’

Sir James Cleverly has said it has been a "tough night" for his party but "disastrous" for Labour.

The Shadow Housing Secretary said it would take time for Mrs Badenoch to get her message across.

He said: "Well, as predicted. It’s been a tough night for us, but we’ve made some real gains, against expectations.

"I’ve just heard we’ve taken control of Westminster Council. We held Fareham in Hampshire, Harlow in Essex, Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, and so we have got real pockets of good news in what we always knew was going to be a tough night.

"I think Labour have had a disastrous night, and we can see why, with the terrible situation they’ve created at a national level."

​Hull Councillors call for Sir Keir Starmer to go

Two Labour councillors in Hull have called for Sir Keir to go after the party suffered seven seat losses overnight.

The councillors became some of the first Labour figures to break ranks and call for a leadership change.

Speaking to Radio 4, Labour group leader in Hull, Daren Hale, said Sir Keir was "not the right man for the job to take us to the next level".

​John Healey insists Sir Keir Starmer is the person to 'turn this round'

John Healey has insisted Sir Keir Starmer is the person to "turn this round" as pressure piles on the Prime Minister.

Speaking to Times Radio, the Defence Secretary defended Sir Keir after Labour MP Jonathan Brash called for the Labour Leader to go.

Mr Healey said: "No, he’s not right.

"Keir Starmer won the mandate for five years from the public. We’re not even halfway through that Parliament. I think he can still deliver, he can still turn it round."

Asked then whether Sir Keir was the man to lead that change, Mr Healey said: “He is.

"I’m not dismissing how bad these results look set to be, but we have had difficult nights before, and we have worked our way back."

​Reform takes seven of eight seats in Angela Rayner’s constituency

Reform has taken seven of eight possible seats in Angela Rayner’s constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne.

Nigel Farage’s Party took some 41 per cent of the vote in what a spokesman for the party described as a "stunning victory in the Red Wall".

​Tories ‘coming back in London’ after taking control of Westminster Council

A Conservative spokesman has said the retaking of Westminster City Council shows the Tories are "coming back in London".

The spokesman said: "We are delighted the Conservatives have taken control of Westminster Council. Labour are set to have a terrible night in London, an area they swept in the last general election.

"Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are coming back in London. This victory is a clear sign of the progress the Conservatives are making under new leadership.

"This is also testament to the hard work of Conservative councillors and activists in Westminster. We are confident they will show that only the Conservatives are serious about delivering better services for lower taxes."

RECAP: Seats declared by 7am

• Reform: 333 (+333)
• Labour: 243 (-246)
• Liberal Democrats: 237 (+35)
• Conservatives: 214 (-126)
• Greens: 48 (+25)
• Independent: 20 (-16)
• Other: 8 (-5)

Tories wrestle back control of Westminster City Council from Labour

The Tories have wrestled Westminster City Council back out of Labour's hands after four years out of power.

In 2022, Sir Keir Starmer's party had unexpectedly surged to power in the heart of London, unseating the Conservatives for the first time in almost six decades.

But of the 54 seats available, the Conservatives won back nine, taking their total to 32.

Lib Dems hail 'stonking results' overnight - but cannot resist swipe at Nigel Farage

The Liberal Democrats have hailed "stonking results" overnight after gaining control of Stockport and Portsmouth councils, with deputy leader Daisy Cooper taking a swipe at Nigel Farage.

In a statement, she said: “The Liberal Democrats are on a record-breaking winning streak. We are heading for our eighth set of local election gains in a row and are on track to beat Labour and the Conservatives once again.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our hardworking teams across the country, who knocked on over three-and-a-half million doors to take the fight to Farage and his politics of division.”

Ms Cooper said she believes her party's "best results are still to come", as she set her sights on targets in Surrey, Sussex, Huntingdonshire, and Southwark.

She added: “While those on the populist extremes of left and right just want to pitch groups against each other, Liberal Democrats have a plan to fix what’s broken and bring our country together.”

Reform UK clinches first council of the elections as Conservatives ousted in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Reform has gained control over its first council of the local elections after seizing power from the Conservatives in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Kemi Badenoch's party had controlled the Staffordshire authority since 2022.

All 44 seats were up for grabs on Thursday, with Reform clinching 27 of them.

It was yet another poor result for Labour, who lost 17 of their 19 councillors in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

REVEALED: Labour's loss rate is WORSE than 2025 locals wipeout as Reform UK hails 'crushing defeat' for Keir Starmer

Labour's loss rate is now higher than their poor performance in last year's local elections, with Reform branding the results so far a "crushing defeat" for Sir Keir Starmer.

After 25 councils in England had fully declared their results, analysis showed that Labour lost more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of seats it was defending.

This is even worse than Sir Keir's loss rate in 2025 - when the party was defeated in two-thirds of seats it was attempting to win again.

On social media, Reform taunted Labour's poor set of results, writing: "Labour have gained no seats at all so far, and have lost 53 per cent of their seats that have declared already.

"This is a crushing defeat for Keir Starmer."

Labour surrenders control of Wandsworth as Tories become largest party

Labour has lost control of Wandsworth Council, with the Conservatives leapfrogging Sir Keir Starmer's party to become the largest in the authority.

All 58 council seats were in contention for the election, with 29 going to the Tories, 28 to Labour and one falling to an independent candidate.

It has now fallen under no overall control.

Labour Minister squirms as she's confronted by party's grim local election results

Watch as Justice Minister Sarah Sackman squirmed when she was confronted by her party's grim local elections record in the early hours of this morning.

Ms Sackman spoke to host Martin Daubney just as Labour had lost 128 seats, which he termed an "astonishing statistic".

He added: "The Labour Party, across 10 council areas, has lost 83 per cent of all of the seats it stood in. That is an historic low by some margin. It's turning into a terrible night for the Labour Party."

"It's looking like a very tough night," she admitted - but denied the local elections were a referendum on Labour's scandals in power...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour loses its SIXTH council of the night as Southampton falls under no overall control 

Southampton City Council has fallen under no overall control with Labour surrendering its sixth council of the night.

Sir Keir Starmer's party seized power of the Hampshire authority in 2022, but it has now slipped through their fingers after gains from Reform, the Greens and the Lib Dems.

Only a third of seats in the council were up for grabs in Thursday's election.

What we know so far as Reform UK storms ahead in elections biltz

So far, 36 of 136 councils across England have been declared.

It has been a jubilant night for Reform, who have clinched 302 council seats in the declared results.

Their success has come at the hands of Labour and the Conservatives, with the two-party system appearing to now be dead and buried.

Sir Keir Starmer's party has lost 226 councillors across the country so far, while Mrs Badenoch's has surrendered 111 respectively.

But Nigel Farage's party has yet to seize overall control of a council - mainly due to the number of seats on offer in each of the authorities declared so far.

Party sources told GB News earlier in the night they expect to pick up around 20 in England alone.

Labour has lost its grip on six councils so far: Redditch, Exeter, Southampton, Tameside, Hull and Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have seen an impressive set of results so far, clinching Stockport and Portsmouth, both of which were previously under no overall control.

Zack Polanski's party has also seen some early success, picking up an extra 22 councillors, with more gains expected to follow as results continue to filter through on Friday.

No change in Dudley but Reform UK make sweeping gains

Dudley Council will remain under no overall control, despite a Reform surge in the West Midlands market town.

Results have been declared in 22 of the 25 seats so far, with Nigel Farage's party clinching 19 of them.

Conservatives keep grip on Fareham 

The Conservatives will stay in control of Fareham Borough Council after winning 11 of the 16 seats up for grabs.

Kemi Badenoch's party lost just one seat to Reform.

Lib Dems retain control in Sutton 

The Liberal Democrats will hold onto power in Sutton Council in another impressive result for Sir Ed Davey's party.

With 40 out of the 55 seats declared, the Lib Dems have secured 38 so far.

Labour hold onto Hammersmith and Fulham in two-way clash with the Tories

Labour will retain control of Hammersmith and Fulham Council after emerging victorious in a two-way clash with the Conservatives.

Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch's parities were the only two names on the ballot in the affluent London borough.

All 50 seats were available in Thursday's election.

Lib Dems storm to victory in Richmond as first London results begin to filter through 

The Liberal Democrats have stormed to victory in Richmond-upon-Thames as the first declarations in London begin to filter through.

All 54 seats were up for grabs in the west London borough, with every single one being claimed by Sir Ed Davey's party.

Richmond Council has been controlled by the Lib Dems since 2018.

Oxford remains under no overall control 

Oxford City Council will remain under no overall control, despite the Greens picking up seats in the major university town.

Labour previously surrendered control of the authority in 2022.

Zack Polanski calls on Keir Starmer to resign as Labour continues to haemmorhage seats

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called on Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Labour continues to suffer heavy losses across England.

The Greens are widely expected to make significant gains at the Prime Minister's expense as more results filter through on Friday.

Mr Polanski said: "Voters are backing the only party taking the cost-of-living crisis seriously.

"We are the only party with real plans to cut bills, reduce rents and provide genuinely affordable homes.

"These early results indicate that voters want to see that change too.

"That is why Keir Starmer has to listen to the people and go.”

Nigel Farage declares Reform UK on course for general election victory after sweeping gains across England

Reform leader Nigel Farage has declared his party are on track for a general election victory after making sweeping gains in council seats across England.

He compared his party's early success in Thursday's local elections to clearing Becher’s Brook, a famously difficult jump in the Grand National.

Mr Farage said: "If we cleared Becher’s Brook and landed well, we go on to win the Grand National.

“What is very clear to me is that our voters will stick with us now all the way through.

“They are not lending their vote to Reform.”

No change in Oldham or Colchester

Both Oldham Council and Colchester City Council will remain under no overall control.

Only a third of seats were on offer in both authorities.

Labour retains control of Reading but Greens hot on their tail 

Labour will cling onto power in Reading Borough Council, despite conceding a handful of seats to the Greens.

Labour surrender Tameside after Reform UK drubbing

Labour has lost control of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council after losing 16 seats in the Greater Manchester authority.

Reform triumphed in 18 of the 19 seats up for grabs, with the council now sliding into no overall control.

The result will be a concern to Angela Rayner - who is one of the three MPs representing areas in Tameside, alongside Jonathan Reynolds and the newly-elected Green MP, Hannah Spencer.

No change in Brentwood despite Reform UK surge

Brentwood Borough Council will remain under no overall control despite Reform making strong gains in the Essex town.

A total of 14 of the authority's 39 seats were on offer on Thursday, with Nigel Farage's party taking seven seats.

They have been widely tipped to perform strongly across Essex.

Reform UK boots Lib Dems out of Hull - but no party fills gap

The Liberal Democrats have been ousted from control of Hull City Council after a Reform surge in the East Yorkshire city.

Nigel Farage's party clinched 10 out of the 19 available seats, with the authority now slipping into no overall control.

Conservatives maintain control of Harlow in clean sweep of seats

The Conservatives have retained control of Harlow Council after winning all 11 seats up for grabs in Thursday's election.

The results comes as a much needed boost to Kemi Badenoch's party, who have suffered heavy blows across the country tonight.

Lib Dems take over Portsmouth as Ed Davey's party clinch second council of the night

The Liberal Democrats have seized control of their second council of the night after winning eight of the 14 available seats in Portsmouth City Council.

The Hampshire authority had previously been under no overall control, but the Lib Dems were already the largest party.

After gaining control of Stockport earlier in the night, a spokesman for Sir Ed Davey's party insisted they "can win right across the country".

First rumblings of Green surge appear as Labour evicted from power in Exeter

Exeter City Council has slipped out of Labour's hands and into no overall control after the Greens made strong gains in the Devon authority.

Zack Polanski's party won six out of the 14 seats on offer, with Labour surrendering five.

Exeter is home to 33,000-strong student population - a demographic that has been widely anticipated to swtich from Labour to the Greens.

Bolton remains under no overall control 

Bolton Council will stay under no overall control after only a third of seats were up for grabs.

However, initial declarations show Reform making strong gains in the Greater Manchester authority.

Lib Dems maintain control of Eastleigh in three-horse race

The Liberal Democrats will retain control of Eastleigh Borough Council after a three-horse race for the 14 available seats.

Ed Davey's party, the Conservatives and independent candidates were the only names on the ballot in Thursday's election.

Labour holds onto power in Plymouth - despite heavy losses in early declarations

Labour has held onto power in Plymouth City Council, although only 19 of 57 seats were up for grabs in the authority.

So far, only eight seats have been declared - with Reform winning seven and the Greens clinching one.

Nigel Farage addresses elections wipeout with vow to make 'extraordinary' gains

“I think what you’re witnessing is an historic change in British politics. Forget left-right, there is no more left-right. It is gone, it is out of the window, it’s finished," Nigel Farage told GB News at his party's election headquarters just now.

“As you can see, we are scoring stunning percentages in traditional old Labour areas.

“We’re currently averaging about 39 per cent of the vote, of the seats that are in already, we’re currently on 145 seats won.

“We are way exceeding anything that I thought.”

When speaking about his predictions later Friday, he said: “What you’ll see tomorrow is the same pattern repeated across the south when we win Essex by an extraordinary margin and Norfolk by an extraordinary margin.”

Labour narrowly clings onto power in Lincoln with slashed majority 

Labour has maintained control of the City of Lincoln Council by the skin of its teeth, with Sir Keir Starmer's party now holding a majority of just one in the authority.

Only 11 out of 33 seats were on offer in Thursday's election, with Labour winning just four.

Southend-on-Sea and Hart remain under no overall control 

Both Southend-on-Sea City Council and Hart District Council will stay under no overall control.

Only a third of seats were up for grabs in each authority.

Lib Dems seize control of Stockport as Labour lose out yet again

The Liberal Democrats have clinched control of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council as Labour miss out yet again in the Greater Manchester authority.

The council had been under no overall control since 2021, but the balance of power has now tipped towards the Lib Dems after Ed Davey's party made narrow gains.

A total of 21 out of 63 seats were on offer.

Hartlepool MP demands Keir Starmer quit after his councillor wife is turfed out by Reform UK

The Labour MP for Hartlepool has called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign after his councillor wife was ousted by a Reform surge in the area.

Jonathan Brash - husband of the now-ousted Hartlepool Borough Council leader Pamela Hargreaves - urged the Prime Minister to “set out a timetable for his departure” after Reform won all 12 seats up for grabs on Thursday.

He admitted to The Guardian that it has been a "terrible night" for his party.

Mr Bash said: “What I’ve seen here is extraordinarily good, hard-working, Hartlepool people lose their seats.

“I’ve seen canvassers working night and day in this election and it’s all been for naught and the reason has absolutely nothing to do with them.

“They are delivering for this town, they have been delivering for this town and the reality is we need change at the top of the Labour Party."

Labour lose grip on Tamworth after battering at hands of Reform UK

Tamworth Borough Council has slipped into no overall control after Labour were dished a heavy beating by Reform.

Nigel Farage party's scooped up all nine available seats in the election.

No change in North East Lincolnshire and Rochford 

North East Lincolnshire and Rochford will both remain under no overall control.

Conservatives maintain grip on Broxbourne 

The Conservatives have maintained their grip on Broxbourne Borough Council, winning seven out of 10 seats on offer in Thursday's election.

However, Kemi Badenoch's party were in no danger of losing overall control as they previously held 27 of the 30 seats in the authority.

Labour OUSTED in Redditch and Hartlepool as two councils slip out of party's hands

Labour has lost control of Reddtch and Hartlepool borough councils, with both authorities now under no overall control.

Reform claimed eight of nine available seats in Redditch and scooped up all 12 up for grabs in Hartlepool.

No party majority in Peterborough 

Peterborough Council will remain under no overall control, with the authority largely comprised of independent councillors.

Although 18 seats are up for grabs tonight, there is not enough to tip the balance of power into any party's favour.

Of the results declared, Reform has gained two seats and the Greens have scooped up one - while Labour lost two and the Conservatives surrendered one.

Reform UK takes 16 of 19 seats in Sarah Pochin's backyard as 2025 success rolls on

Reform has stormed to victory in 16 out of 19 of seats up for grabs in Halton as the first full result of the night was declared.

Sarah Pochin, Reform MP for nearby Runcorn - who won her seat at a by-election last May - celebrated the outcome on social media, writing: "Wow. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the 16 brand new Reform UK councillors across Halton.

"Congratulations to each and every one of the team. A fantastic result and a huge step forward for Reform UK in Halton."

Nigel Farage's party took 15 council seats off Labour and one off the Conservatives in the Cheshire district.

Local election votes DISQUALIFIED after council misprint gives Britons wrong ballot papers 

Reports have emerged from Oldham that a number of votes have been disqualified due to a council misprint on ballot papers.

At least 15 are believed to have been rejected from the Waterhead area after voters were mistakenly given papers listing candidates from a separate ward roughly three miles away.

The issue was raised shortly after polls closed on Thursday evening.

Labour clings on to control four councils in North West thanks to voting quirk

Labour will remain in control of Wigan, Chorley, Salford and Halton councils, but only due to only a third of seats being up for grabs in each authority.

Even if all available seats were taken off Labour by other parties, it still would not be enough to flip control of the councils.

Labour to be 'ANNIHILATED in the Red Wall' as Lee Anderson predicts Reform UK will scoop up more than 1,500 seats 

Lee Anderson has said he expects Labour to be "annihilated in the Red Wall" tonight, as he predicted Reform to win more than 1,500 council seats across the country.

Speaking from Reform HQ, the MP for Ashfield told GB News that his party were "smashing it" in the north west of England and that he believed winning at least 1,000 seats was "a benchmark".

He said: "Last night, I predicted we would get about 1,500 seats. It could be more because this time last year I was in a county hall in Ashfield. We were looking at getting 10 seats in my constituency. I was hoping for 3 or 4 seats - we won every single seat.

"I think we're going to see more of the same over the next 24 hours, and I cannot wait for the results to come in, because people have been laughing and sniggering at Nigel and the team when we've been saying 'vote Reform, get Starmer out'.

"As Nigel says, those people tomorrow morning and Saturday morning, they won't be laughing."

Reform UK boots out Labour in first result of the night 

Reform UK has kicked Labour out of the Chorley East ward in the first declared result of the night.

However, Chorley council will remain Labour-run as only a third of seats were on offer in Thursday's election.

Reform UK 'could secure EVERY SINGLE SEAT' in key Essex target council 

Reform could win every single seat up for grabs in a key Essex target council, Sky News have reported.

Basildon - current run by a Labour minority administration - had 14 seats on offer during Thursday's elections.

Reform currently hold just one councillor seat in the Essex borough - but should they sweep all available seats, they would become the largest party.

Turnout in the area is said to be much higher than usual, with levels on par with the last general election.

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 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 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 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.