How Bad Have the Local Elections Been for Labour?

TL;DR

Labour suffered severe losses in England's local elections, losing hundreds of councillors and councils to a surging Reform UK party.

Key Points

• 1.Labour is projected to lose around 1,200 councillors, worse than the pre-election forecast of ~1,000. In strongholds like Wigan and Hartley Hall, Labour lost every single seat up for election, while Tameside saw them lose 16 of 17 seats, ending 47 years of council control.
• 2.Reform UK has been the dominant winner, projected to gain 1,400 seats. They won their first outright council majority at Newcastle-under-Lyme (27 of 44 seats) and entered the night controlling zero councils, now holding two with more expected.
• 3.The Conservatives have also suffered at Reform's hands but partially offset losses. They are projected to lose around 500 councillors, though they gained notably in Westminster and emerged as the largest party in Wandsworth, softening the blow.
• 4.The Greens are projected to gain around 600 seats, exceeding their pre-election forecast of 350. Key councils still to declare include Lambeth, Lewisham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, and Norwich, where Green gains are anticipated.
• 5.The results intensify pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and fuel leadership speculation. Labour trails Reform, the Conservatives, and sometimes even the Greens in national polls, with Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, and Andy Burnham cited as potential challengers.