Labour Loses Wales for First Time Since 1999, Shedding Seats in Scotland
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · May 11
Labour Loses Wales for First Time Since 1999, Shedding Seats in Scotland
2 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · May 11
Labour lost power in Wales for the first time since devolution began in 1999 and also gave up seats in Scotland’s devolved elections, deepening pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The setback had been widely anticipated after Labour slid steadily in national and regional polling since its 2024 general election victory.
Chinese analysts said Starmer’s weakened authority could fuel calls inside Labour to revisit policy toward Beijing, though they judged a sharp turn away from engagement unlikely.
Britain’s economic constraints make a tougher China line costly, suggesting the election losses may increase debate over policy without forcing an immediate U-turn.
With US and EU relations faltering, is a deeper economic tie to China the UK's only viable future?
Is Keir Starmer's leadership crisis merely a symptom of an irreversibly fractured United Kingdom?