Starmer Promises Urgent Cost-of-Living Reforms After Labour Loses English Councils and 2 Devolved Votes
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 11
Starmer Promises Urgent Cost-of-Living Reforms After Labour Loses English Councils and 2 Devolved Votes
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 11
Keir Starmer pledged urgent action on living costs and closer ties with Europe in a London speech aimed at stopping a Labour revolt and shoring up his premiership.
Last week’s losses in municipal council elections across England and in Scottish and Welsh parliamentary contests intensified pressure from Labour lawmakers for him to quit.
Starmer accepted responsibility for the setback but said he would stay, arguing a leadership change would plunge Britain into the kind of chaos seen under successive Conservative prime ministers before Labour’s 2024 win.
Catherine West, who had threatened to trigger an immediate leadership challenge, said the speech was too little, too late and instead urged colleagues to back a timetable for Starmer to leave within months.
As Starmer's leadership falters, who are the real contenders to replace him and unite the party?
With Labour facing collapse, is the UK's traditional two-party system finished for good?