Labour faces calls for Starmer resignation after election losses

Several prominent figures, including former minister Catherine West and leaders of Unison and Unite, have called for Sir Keir Starmer's resignation following the party's poor performance. Starmer responded by stating he is 'hurt' but 'not going to walk away'. Deputy leader Lucy Powell defended Starmer, emphasising the party needs to 'listen' and 'change' but not engage in 'hostile takeovers'.

In an effort to regroup, Starmer has appointed Harriet Harman as an adviser on women and girls and ex-prime minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance. Meanwhile, in the Scottish elections, the SNP remained the largest party in Holyrood, though without a majority. Reform UK made significant gains, while the Conservatives lost considerable ground.

The exact number of councillors lost by Labour and the specific election results in Wales have not been confirmed. It remains unclear what specific changes Labour plans to implement and what timeframe Starmer has to improve the party's trajectory. The calls for Starmer's resignation have intensified as the scale of the defeat becomes clearer, with some party members expressing deep concern over the leadership's direction.

Starmer's appointments of Harman and Brown are seen as an attempt to bring experienced figures into his team to address key policy areas and restore confidence. In Scotland, the SNP's failure to secure a majority has led to discussions about potential coalitions or minority government arrangements, while Reform UK's gains signal a shift in voter sentiment. The Conservatives' losses in Scotland add to the party's challenges across the UK, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the government.

Labour's internal debates are expected to continue as the party assesses its strategy ahead of future elections, with some members urging a more radical policy platform. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.