The UK Labour Party lost control of 35 local councils and more than 1,300 council seats in England during the May 2026 local elections [1].
These results signal a significant decline in support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government. The shift suggests a growing vulnerability for the ruling party as voters move toward the right-wing Reform UK platform.
The losses occurred across various local authority areas in England [2]. Data indicates that Reform UK saw a surge in support, contributing to the scale of the defeat for Labour [2]. This electoral swing represents a challenge to the current administration's mandate and its ability to maintain local governance across the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) addressed the losses by stating he would not resign. "I will not quit," Starmer said [3]. He further noted, "I am not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos," Starmer said [4].
Nigel Farage of Reform UK characterized the election results as a major victory for his party. "A truly historic shift in UK politics," Farage said [4].
The scale of the defeat is marked by the loss of 35 councils [1] and the forfeiture of more than 1,300 individual seats [1]. While the Labour Party remains the national government, the loss of these local strongholds creates a precarious political environment for the Prime Minister.
“"I will not quit."”
The 2026 local election results indicate a fragmentation of the traditional voting bloc in England. By shifting support toward Reform UK, voters are signaling dissatisfaction with the current Labour government's direction. While Starmer's refusal to resign maintains immediate stability, the loss of over 1,300 seats suggests a systemic erosion of grassroots support that could impact the party's performance in future general elections.
