Partial results of the local elections in the UK show a defeat for Labour and a victory for right-wing populists. The latter gained hundreds of new seats in traditionally working-class areas of England, writes UNN with reference to Euronews.
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Preliminary results announced on Friday indicate a disastrous night for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's party and a sharp surge into the lead for Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK party.
His supporters won hundreds of seats in municipal councils in the north of England, which until recently was a Labour stronghold. The victory for Farage's supporters was predicted by poll results. He himself described the results as a "historic turning point." The reputation of the current Prime Minister, and with him all of Labour, was damaged by sharp policy reversals, the economic consequences of the war with Iran, and the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson, a former friend of Epstein, as Ambassador to the US.
Keir Starmer acknowledged the failure but stated he would not resign so as "not to plunge the country into chaos." He reminded that his party won the parliamentary elections in 2024 and received a five-year mandate.
The vote count will continue throughout Friday. So far, the opposition Liberal Democrats are moving into third place. The Greens are also achieving success, while the Conservatives, conversely, are losing votes.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned Labour against changing the Prime Minister, noting that one should not "change the pilot during the flight." Observers, however, do not rule out that demands for a change of Prime Minister may arise within the party amid the defeat.
John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said that Britain is entering a new era where no single party receives a confident majority of votes, which, in his opinion, underscores the divide in politics and society.
UK elections could end in 'Starmergeddon' for the Prime Minister – media07.05.26, 12:10