LONDON: Britain’s ruling Labour Party suffered a significant setback in local elections, with Reform UK emerging as the leading party in a major upset.
According to results, Reform UK secured 401 seats, putting it ahead of all other parties. Labour finished with 253 seats, losing around 260 seats overall.
The opposition Conservative Party came second with 256 seats, while the Liberal Democrats won 251 seats and the Green Party of England and Wales secured 53 seats.
The elections marked a notable shift in the UK’s political landscape, as for the first time a party other than Labour or the Conservatives emerged as the top performer in local polls.
Despite the losses, Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected calls to step down, stating that he would not push the country into instability. He emphasized that his government still holds a public mandate from the 2024 general elections for a five-year term.
The results are being seen as an indicator of changing voter sentiment and could have broader implications for future national politics in the United Kingdom.
