Labour unions demand urgent meeting with Keir Starmer as they call for 'RADICAL new direction'

Nigel Farage says today's results have been 'truly astonishing' for Reform

Nigel Farage said Reform's results in the Red Wall were "truly astonishing".

Addressing supporters in Chelmsford, he said: "We’ve absolutely walked it, we’re majority control in Sunderland. We’re majority control in Gateshead. We’re majority control in South Tyneside"

He added: "We are directly taking votes from patriotic old Labour in areas that, frankly, they’ve been pretty much able to take for granted since the end of World War I."

Here's where we are in England...

Based on full results from 110 of the 136 councils in England that held elections on Thursday, Labour has won 44 per cent of the seats it was defending, while the Conservatives have won 62 per cent of the seats they were defending, according to analysis seen by GB News.

At last year’s local elections in England, both parties won 33 per cent of the seats they were defending.

Reform UK has so far won 35 per cent of the seats it contested this year, while the Greens have won 10 per cent.

Boris Johnson says Kemi Badenoch can 'rebuild' election success for the Conservatives

Boris Johnson has praised Kemi Badenoch as he suggested the current Conservative leader could "rebuild" electoral success for the Tories.

Writing in the Mail, the former Prime Minister said: "[Kemi's] excellent parliamentary performances she has built a fan club and the right to a hearing.

"She now needs to ensure by ruthless repetition that her Tories are seen as the standard-bearers of revolt against Labour’s economic disaster. Reform did well yesterday, but not as well as expected.

"The Tories outperformed expectations. The gap is closing. It will not be easy, but Kemi can do it."

Reform UK candidate who said Holocaust was a hoax wins seat

A Reform UK election candidate who called the Holocaust a "hoax" and "propaganda" has been elected in the local elections.

Jay Leslie Cooper has taken one of three available seats for the Bootle West ward on Sefton Council.

The newly elected Cllr Cooper secured 705 votes and will join two Labour councillors, Jim Conalty and Dan McKee in the ward.

Last year, Cooper reposted an article on Facebook relating to the shooting of American political commentator Charlie Kirk with the accompanying headline: "Heartbreaking. Murdered for having an opinion."

When asked in a comment "[Adolf] Hitler had an (opinion) too; did he deserve to die?", he responded: I don't agree with him murdering innocent people.

"But the Hallocaust (sic) is a hoax. There wasn't (sic) even 6 million Jews in Europe at the time. Propaganda."

Reform UK told the Liverpool Echo they were looking into the allegations.

Green Party wins another London council off Labour

Hackney Council has been won by the Green Party, with Zack Polanski's party taking the borough off Labour.

Labour previously held a majority of 43 seats.

However, the Greens have secured 28 seats, with Labour decimated to just eight seats with the Conservatives in last on five.

Reform UK take two more councils off Labour in double blow for Keir Starmer

Reform UK took the West Midlands council Sandwell after gaining 41 of the 72 seats, with Labour losing 33.

The party also seized Wakefield in West Yorkshire, winning 58 seats, with two Liberal Democrats and one each for Labour, the Greens and the Conservatives.

Labour had controlled the council with 48 seats.

Sadiq Khan admits Labour has lost the most voters to the Greens

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has admitted "the biggest change" has been Labour voters switching to the Greens.

Sir Sadiq said: "Many people who voted Labour at the last general election clearly feel angry, disappointed and let down. They want a Labour government to address the cost-of-living crisis while demonstrating the core values the party was established to promote.

"Too many of the government’s achievements have been overshadowed by basic mistakes and a failure to boldly assert our progressive values."

Campaign group allied to Andy Burnham demands 'orderly transition' in Labour management

A campaign group allied to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for an "orderly transition", adding that Sir Keir Starmer is "increasingly unlikely" to lead Labour at the next general election

Mainstream said the party’s dire local election were down to a "ailed political experiment at the top of the Labour Party that has put control, centralisation, and factional advantage before the founding principles of our movement"

The group demanded "an orderly transition and a genuinely open, democratic debate about both who and what comes next".

A spokesman from the group said: "Today, it seems increasingly unlikely that our party’s current leadership will take us into the 2029 general election.

"If this is the case, then there must be an orderly transition and a genuinely open, democratic debate about both who and what comes next."

Green MP says party would 'welcome a General Election right now'

Green Party MP Siân Berry has said her party would welcome a general election "right now" as the Greens saw success across England.

The Brighton Pavilion MP and former party leader said: "I think we need to see big changes in government.

"If Labour won't change their policies, then we need to go to the country and see if another party can do better.

"We're confident that we've got the policies the country needs and we'd welcome a general election right now."

Reform UK takes another council from Labour

Reform UK has won St Helens from Labour, with Sir Keir Starmer's party being obliterated, losing all 20 seats it held.

Nigel Farage's party won 27 seats, taking it into first place in the Merseyside council.

The Liberal Democrats won three seats, with the Conservatives on one and independent councillors winning six seats.

Even more cabinet ministers come out to support Keir Starmer

Even more Cabinet Ministers have come out in favour of the Prime Minister as Labour continue to slump across the country.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, said: "Keir Starmer won a mandate to change our country.

"We must get on with delivering that mandate - and show how politics can improve people’s lives for the better.”

Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary added: "As the Prime Minister says, it is clear the public are impatient for change and we must rise to meet this moment and deliver change on the scale that people need and have asked for."

Reform becomes largest party on Birmingham City Council

Reform UK is now the largest party on Birmingham City Council, with Labour losing control of Europe's largest authority.

Labour lost 29 seats, while Reform UK has gained 17 and the Greens have gained seven.

It means no party has majority on the City Council.

Green Party wins fourth council in another win for Zack Polanski's party

The Greens won a fourth council, taking Hastings, which was previously under no overall control.

The party gained seven seats on the East Sussex local authority, and Reform UK gained seven, with Labour losing five seats, Independents losing five and Conservatives losing three seats.

Labour loses control of Leeds as Conservative leader warns of 'uncharted territory' 

Leeds has been thrown into "unchartered territory" after Labour lost overall control of the city council.

Greens and Reform UK both made significant gains while the Conservatives managed to hold on.

Conservative leader in Leeds Alan Lamb told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "They have lost in places that you never would have imagined when I joined the council 20 years ago - even two years ago you’d never have imagined some of the seats they’ve lost so far.

"The electorate have told us that we’ve got a duty to work together to address the problems and concerns that they have and find some solutions. It’s on all of us to put our party politics aside and find a way forward.

"The council still has to run, people are relying on its services every day."

Green Party wins Waltham Forest council off Labour

The Green Party has taken control of Waltham Forest, despite not having a single seat in the borough before today.

Zack Polanski's party took control of the borough in the north east of the capital, winning 31 seats.

Labour took 14 seats, a loss of 33 seats compared to the last election, while the Conservatives won 14 seats, a gain of one.

GB NEWS INSIGHT: Chief Political Correspondent Katherine Forster on a momentous day in Wales 

In the lush green hills of Wales a huge earthquake has taken place.

Wales is no longer Labour.

It’s a country which has been Labour for over a century. A country where the devolved government has been run by Labour since its beginning in 1999.

Labour and Wales. Fish and chips. Gin and tonic. One without the other seems unthinkable. Not now.

In a new electoral system, Labour may end up with less than 10 seats out of 96.

The First Minister has just lost her seat in the huge new constituency of Ceridigion Penfro. Labour got just 6 495 votes to Plaid Cymru’s 31 943 and Reform’s 23 003. Labour only beat the Greens by a couple of hundred votes.

"Welsh Labour has suffered a catastrophic loss…the party needs to take a long, hard look at itself.”

Though she didn’t mention Sir Keir Starmer and didn’t want to discuss him later when she briefly spoke to journalists, she sent a message to Labour nationally: "We need to go back to being the party of the working class”.

That was also the message from former Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones this morning, who said that Labour is “no longer seen as the party of working people”.

The nationalist party Plaid Cymru looks set to win the most seats, with Reform also doing well, especially in the east of the country and the south.

A Reform source told GB News this morning that “Plaid will win”.

But they’re unlikely to get a majority and will have to do a deal with another party to govern.

As Eluned Morgan declared that “the age of two party dominance is dead”, the Conservatives, previously the opposition in the Senedd, will only get a handful of seats.

Labour has had 27 years in charge in Wales. Now it’s Plaid’s turn. Whether they can deliver for all those who feel forgotten and let down, is another matter.

Labour ministers rally around Keir Starmer

Labour ministers have rallied around Sir Keir Starmer as they suggested the Prime Minister "is going nowhere."

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Reversing these results requires a collective effort, not just blaming the boss. We can’t do that by turning in on ourselves. We do it by rebuilding faith in Labour’s ability to inspire and lead our country.

"Losing our Prime Minister is the very opposite of that. In the days ahead, we’ll set out the ambition we have for a fairer and more prosperous Britain."

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: "The last thing the country wants is the Labour Party to talk about the Labour Party. The British public don’t want to hear about timelines, backroom deals and navel-gazing. Let’s get on with the job."

Home Office minister Mike Tapp added: "The Tories wrecked the country in large part due to the constant churn in Prime Minsters and Ministers. We owe it to our constituents to not do the same.

"We won’t deliver for our communities with what has become typical political infighting. The PM is going nowhere, quite rightly. We can only deliver with stability of leadership."

Reform take control of Barnsley Council off Labour

​Reform UK has taken control of Barnsley’s council after more than 50 years of Labour rule.

Applause erupted at the count in Barnsley Metrodome as Reform took all three seats in the Stairfoot ward, meaning they had 32 councillors, enough to form a majority.

The Labour candidates who lost did not stand on the stage when the results were announced.

Green Party boots Labour out of Norwich City Council

The Green Party has taken control of Norwich City Council off Labour in another win for Zack Polanski's party.

Seats on Norwich City Council were up for election in the wards of Bowthorpe, Catton Grove, Crome, Eaton, Lakenham, Mancroft, Mile Cross, Nelson, Sewell, Thorpe Hamlet, Town Close, University, and Wensum.

It is the first Green council gain off Labour of the day.

Green Party wins second London borough mayor

The Green Party's Liam Shrivastava has been elected as the mayor of Lewisham.

He received 35,265 votes, meanwhile Labour’s Amanda De Ryk came second with 30,374 votes and Reform UK’s Pete Newman came third with 7,288 votes.

The Green Party also won the mayoralty in Hackney, earlier on Friday.

Sir Ed Davey says Liberal Democrats are the 'only non-populist party left'

Sir Ed Davey said the Liberal Democrats were "the only non-populist party left standing" after making gains at the local elections.

The Lib Dems have taken Stockport and Portsmouth councils, which were previously under no overall control, and won a net 27 seats across the country.

The overall picture emerging from the local elections is one of significant net gains of 658 for Reform UK at the expense of Labour and the Tories, which have suffered losses of 377 and 248 respectively so far.

Zack Polanski’s Greens have also made inroads in some Labour strongholds, winning the Hackney mayoralty and a net 51 seats overall.

But during a visit to Guildford, Surrey, where the Lib Dems hope to win control of the council, Sir Ed said his party were "the only non-extremists to have made gains".

"In areas like Surrey it’s clear the Conservatives are finished and it’s now between the Liberal Democrats and Reform," he added.

Labour clings on in Newham despite rise of Independent group

Labour has held onto the mayoralty in the London borough of Newham, despite fierce opposition from independents.

Forhad Hussain saw off competition from Mehmood Mirza and the Newham Independents group.

The Greens came third in the east London borough.

Reform wins Thurrock council off Labour

Reform UK has taken control of a second council from Labour, winning Thurrock in Essex, taking 28 of the first 32 seats to be declared.

Greens make key gain in Keir Starmer's constituency

The leader of Labour on Camden Council has been defeated by the Greens in Sir Keir Starmer's own St Pancras and Holborn constituency.

Richard Olszewski had switched his seat earlier this year.

However, the entire Covent Garden and Holborn ward has gone to three Green councillors, replacing three Labour councillors.

GB NEWS INSIGHT: Senior Politics Producer Keith Bays on the ground in Sunderland

At 4pm on Friday afternoon, Sunderland voted decisively for change, and Reform UK took control of the council in what was once a Labour stronghold.

This follows on from what we have seen overnight, in what has been a bloodbath for Labour, results that will heap huge pressure on Keir Starmer to go.

In Sunderland, Thatcher used to be be a swear word. The right of British politics had no foothold in the area and Reform, well, they of course did not exist. But now locals champion the party led by Nigel Farage and have voted for them in their droves.

When GB News last visited Sunderland for a special episode of the Daubney programme, a local resident made some remarks in an interview that summed up the strong feeling against Labour, a party that Sunderland folk once regarded as the party of the working class.

The man said: "I never thought I would say this, but Keir Starmer is more hated up here than Maggie Thatcher.” This was from a man who had previously voted Labour all his life.

But the question on everyone’s lips will be why Reform? Well, Nigel Farage will argue that the establishment has for too long taken people’s votes for granted, with the major parties passing the baton of power back and forth with no real changes happening.

People are not noticing any difference in their pockets, have not seen improving public and local services, and do not feel safer in their communities.

In fact, the establishment, he will argue, has become complacent and is out for itself rather than for the people it is meant to represent.

Whilst Reform have seized control in Sunderland, the eyes of their rivals, and indeed journalists, will now be on them. Scrutiny like never before, but speaking to the newly elected Reform councillors today, they’re not thinking about that. The adrenaline is flowing, and they’re just eager to get started

Reform UK takes Sunderland City Council off Labour

Reform UK has won Sunderland City Council after more than 50 years of Labour leadership.

Nigel Farage's party has now won 39 councillors, giving them a confirmed majority on the Wearside council with more seats to declare.

Labour council leader in Sunderland Michael Mordey lost his seat.

Half of all councils have now fully declared their results

We're at the halfway point in England as half of councils (68 of 136) have now fully declared their results.

Labour has won 50 per cent of the seats it was defending, while the Conservatives have won 56 per cent of the seats they were defending, according to analysis seen by GB News.

At last year’s local elections in England, both parties won 33 per cent of the seats they were defending.

Reform UK has so far won 35 per cent of the seats it contested this year, while the Greens have won seven per cent.

Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain wins all 10 seats in 'landslide' victory in Great Yarmouth 

Restore Britain has won all 10 seats in Great Yarmouth as Rupert Lowe said this is "just the beginning" for his party.

Candidates for Mr Lowe's party stood under the banner of "Great Yarmouth First", winning all seats they stood for in the Norfolk County Council election.

The former Reform MP said: "The people of Great Yarmouth have spoken loud and clear.

"They want real change, not more of the same failed politics from Westminster. This clean sweep of all 10 seats is a massive vote of confidence in our local team and in the Restore Britain movement.

"We ran on commonsense policies: securing our borders, cutting waste, protecting British jobs for local workers, and always putting Great Yarmouth first. Today, the voters of Great Yarmouth delivered a landslide. This is just the beginning."

Labour loses Cambridge and Preston as Greens and Reform surge

Labour has lost control of Cambridge City Council for the first time since 2014 as the Green Party has become the second largest party.

The council now has no overall control, with Labour down to 17, while the Greens have gained six seats, up to 12.

The Liberal Democrats maintained its 11 seats and as did the Conservatives and Your Party - both on one respectively.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer's party also lost control of Preston City Council after losing ground to Reform who had won four seats and the Greens, who had won two seats.

Here's where we are with 60 councils declared...

With 60 councils in England having fully declared their results, Labour has won 50 per cent of the seats it was defending.

Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives have won 58 per cent of the seats they were defending, according to analysis seen by GB News.

Meanwhile, Reform UK has so far won 36 per cent of the seats it contested.

'The writing's on the wall!' Unite chief joins latest cries for Labour to return to working classes

The Unite chief has joined the latest cries for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour to return to appeasing working classes.

The union's General Secretary Sharon Graham added: "Labour ministers can loyally read out lists of thir achievements, but no one is listening.

"If every one of those achievements were in stereo, they wouldn’t even touch the sides of the vision that is needed now.

"We are stuck in a rigged system where everyday people always, always pay. Only fundamental, irreversible change will stem the tide. If the party does not shift decisively towards the working class it is finished.

"It is change or die. Now or never."

Labour faces threat of permanent extinction under Sir Keir Starmer, MP warns

Labour faces threat of permanent extinction under leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, an MP has warned.

Labour MP Ian Lavery has called for Keir Starmer to resign, adding: “Keir Hardie started the Labour Party...

"It could be another Keir – Keir Starmer - that could end the party forever."

Reform takes control of Tory stronghold Suffolk County Council 

Reform UK has taken control of Suffolk County Council and kicked out the Tories in a historic first.

Since the 70s, the Conservative Party has swept in and out of control over the authority but now has been replaced by the populist party entirely.

Nigel Farage's party won 23 seats, while Greens have secured second place with seven seats.

Meanwhile, Reform's victory swung a serious sledgehammer through the Tory vote, robbing the Conservatives of 21 seats.

Labour's share of the seats has slumped to zero.

GB NEWS INSIGHT: Bethany Elsey shares intel on the ground in key Labour heartland

Fed up and wanting change.

That’s the feeling in Sunderland - a Labour heartland with many voters now putting their faith in Reform UK.

Four out of the five Tyne & Wear councils are holding all-out elections: Gateshead, South Tyneside, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Sunderland; with Nigel Farage’s party projected to take control of each of them.

With all 75 seats being contested, Sunderland are counting three times as many votes as usual - with the first results starting to coming from 1pm.

Some voters have told GB News Sunderland has seen decades of Labour neglect - leading to their high street being abandoned and slim job opportunities. They’re hoping Reform can do exactly that, and bring the change they’ve not seen for generations.

Zoe Garbett becomes Greens’ first-ever Mayor - here are some of her most outrageous views

Zoe Garbett has been elected the Green Party’s first-ever Mayor after dramatically ousting Labour in Hackney.

Ms Garbett won 35,720 votes in the first-past-the-post election and defeated her Labour rival Caroline Woodley by nearly 10,000 votes.

Ms Woodley received 26,685 votes, losing the mayoralty which has held by Labour since the position was created in 2002.

In the wake of her victory, GB News looks back at her most outrageous views.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

ANALYSIS: GB News' Olivia Utley delivers election insight from London

Journalists waiting on Downing Street from 6am this morning to catch Keir Starmer in the glare of the spotlight were sorely disappointed.

Our beleaguered Prime Minister slipped out of the back exit at around 7am, before heading off to Ealing, where he made a short statement — ostensibly taking responsibility for Labour’s disastrous performance.

We now predict that he’s off to Chequers, where we expect he will remain holed up for the weekend with loyalists forming a virtual suit of armour around him.

Senior Cabinet ministers including John Healey and David Lammy have come on the airwaves to bat for the PM this morning, arguing that a change of leader while war rages in Iran would be irresponsible ("you don’t change pilot in the middle of a flight" said Lammy - a strange metaphor given pilots are routinely changed for safety reasons during long haul flights).

A stay of execution for Sir Keir Starmer now seems plausible, but long term the PM’s position looks precarious, to put it mildly.

Many of the PM's supposed allies only want to keep him in position to buy some time for Andy Burnham, the only man Labour insiders believe has the potential to beat Nigel Farage in an election. Unfortunately for Burnham’s fan club, the Manchester mayor doesn’t have a seat in Westminster, and although there are a couple of northern MPs willing to give up their seats to get him in the door, there is no guarantee at all that he could actually win the subsequent by election given Labour’s miserable performance in the north of England today.

Labour ministers for now, then, are not quite ready to stick the knife in. But a change in fortune for Mr Burnham could change all that in an instant.

To make matters worse for Sir Keir, Mr Farage has stormed to victory on a scale no one quite predicted. With an insurgent Reform to his right, the Greens making advances to his left, and defeated Labour councillors muttering furiously behind Starmer’s back, the stakes have never been higher.

Zack Polanski tells Keir Starmer: 'The country has clearly rejected you'

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has told Sir Keir Starmer "the country has clearly rejected you".

Speaking after his party won a decisive victory in Hackney, he said: "My message to Keir Starmer is it's time to go.

"The country has clearly rejected you. I think he’d been rejected before these elections even started.

"We had 14 years of Conservative austerity. Keir Starmer was voted in on a promise of change and, actually, what we’ve seen is very little change, and in many ways things have got worse."

Council leader calls on Keir Starmer to step down in scathing slapdown

The council leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, whch has been under Labour control since 2011, has called on Sir Keir Starmer to step down.

While Labour started to haemorrhage seats from the authority, Councillor Phil Riley said: "I heard David Lammy on Radio 4 this morning saying that he (Starmer) is not coming up on the doorsteps.

"I don’t know what doorsteps he has been on but it was certainly coming up on the doorsteps I have been on.

"Keir Starmer has a very poor reputation with people out there.

"He has clearly done a very good job in terms of foreign affairs but I think the party lacks political direction. I believe he has to go."

Reform boots out Tories from Essex County Council in damning blow to Tories' Blue Wall

Reform UK has booted out the Tories from Essex County Council in a damning blow to the Conservatives' Blue Wall.

The party has secured at least 40 of the 78 seats up for grabs.

Mrs Badenoch currently serves as the MP for North West Essex but Mr Farage has suggested she could be on track to lost her seat in Parliament.

The Clacton MP said: "Kemi Badenoch speaks of 'renewal' of the Conservatives.

"Well, she would lose her own seat of North West Essex based on these Essex County Council results!"

Labour OUSTED from Hackney as Zoe Garbett makes history as Green Party's first-ever mayor

The Green Party's Zoe Garbett has been elected as the Mayor of Hackney after ousting Labour.

The victory marks the first-ever mayoral victory for the party.

Speaking to cheering supporters at the count, she said "this administration is yours".

In the borough, 76,187 votes were cast with a turnout of 40.98 per cent.

Ms Garbett won with 35,720 votes (49.9 per cent) beating Labour who came in at 26,865 (37.5 per cent)
Reform managed to claim third place, tallying 4,013 votes (5.6 per cent).

While the Lib Dems and the Conservatives bottomed the contest with 2,731 (3.8 per cent) and 2,345 (3.3 per cent) respectively.

ANALYSIS: Christopher Hope gives his insight on the PM's future

"I would be very sad to see Keir Starmer go - he is the greatest asset we have got." Worryingly for the Prime Minister, it was not a Cabinet minister who said this as the results from the English local elections in, but Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

The fact that Mr Farage wants Sir Keir's tortured time in office to continue will sting him and his Cabinet as they continue to try to deliver on the change Labour promised.

With a fifth of councillors declared, Reform looks to be on course for a historic win. "The best is yet to come," Mr Farage continued, as he pointed to hoped for gains in places like Cannock and Sunderland in Labour's hallowed red wall. "We are reshaping British politics."

And we have not yet got to the counts in the national elections in Scotland, where Reform might come second to the SNP, and Wales, where polls suggest (and Mr Farage agreed) that Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are neck and neck.

The PM's response to these very difficult results has been to dig in. "The voters have sent a message about the pace of change, how they want their lives improved," he said this morning. "I'm not going to walk away from those challenges and plunge the country into chaos."

To be fair to the Prime Minister, he was merely reiterating what he has been saying in recent weeks about honouring the mandate given to him in his July 2024 general election landslide and serving the full five years as Prime Minister.

But interestingly Starmer did not deny that one of the rivals to replace him - Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband - had asked him to set out a time table, saying simply: "Ed Miliband has dealt with this and made it absolutely clear that he supports me." Not a no, then.

The PM has set out his position. He is going to go on and on and on until things start to get better. It is now up to other Cabinet members - some of whom will be worried about losing their own seats at the next election - to decide if they accept it. Or take matters into their own hands.

​Kemi Badenoch: 'Reform talk a good game...but places that voted for them last time are kicking them out'

Kemi Badenoch has said "Reform talk a good game" but voters are showing how they feel at the ballot box.

The Tory leader said: "Actually all the places that voted for Reform last time are kicking Reform out. People who experience Reform don't like it.

"And we know that that's going to happen again this year. But we need people to know that hope is coming.

"The Conservatives have to come back because, my goodness, this country needs us. We are coming back to fight for our high streets. We are coming back to fight for hard working people. We are coming back to fight for businesses.

"We are coming back to fight for veterans, for parents, for farmers. We're coming back to stamp out antisemitic hatred on our streets. We are coming back to deliver a stronger economy. We're coming back to deliver a stronger country. And we are coming back to get Britain working again."

​Ed Davey: 'Starmer woke up and smelled the coffee'

Sir Ed Davey has said Sir Keir "woke up and smelled the coffee" this morning as he mockingly spoke from inside a coffee shop window.

"I think Starmer woke up and smelled the coffee," Sir Ed said.

"In fact, both the Conservatives and Labour need to smell the coffee. The old parties are out."

​Zack Polanski: 'People are voting to end Rip Off Britain'

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has taken to X to hail the performance of his party candidates in the local elections.

He wrote: "It's early yet, but for the Greens to be beating Labour in the popular vote in places like Reading is remarkable!

"We've gained seats across the country and an increase in our vote share almost everywhere we've stood.

"All over the UK people are voting to end Rip Off Britain."

Reform UK demolishes Tory vote in London council

Reform UK has demolished the Conservatives' number of seats in an east London council this morning - reducing its hold to a staggering zero.

Nigel Farage's party stormed to victory in the area which had previously been under No Overall Control for 12 years.

RESULTS: Havering London Borough Council

• Reform UK: 39 (+39)
• Local party: 14 (-9)
• Labour: 2 (-7)
• Conservative: 0 (-23)

​John Healey refuses to say whether Rachel Reeves should go

John Healey has refused to give an answer when asked whether Rachel Reeves should go.

Asked by GB News whether he had confidence in the Chancellor, Mr Healey said: "Look, global growth is low. It's threatened by a looming oil price crisis and that, wider economic insecurity.

"And in those circumstances, you know, we do have a Prime Minister that's demonstrated he has rebuilt Britain's influence in the world.

"He can bring countries together for Ukraine. We're bringing countries together on the Strait of Hormuz.

"He's demonstrated he can stand Britain's ground on the Middle East. And it's that sort of leadership that has the potential to bring confidence back to Britain.

"And I know that Prime Minister can work this back. I know he can deliver for the future, and I know he will be determined to do that."

​Green MP Sian Berry would 'welcome general election now'

Sian Berry has said she would "welcome a general election now".

Reflecting on the Green Party’s local election results, the Green MP said: "I think we need to see big changes in Government.

"If Labour won't change their policies, then we need to go to the country and see if another party can do better.

"We're confident that we've got the policies the country needs and we'd welcome a general election right now."

Asked whether this was the end of the two-party system, Ms Berry said: "It is the end of two-party politics.

"You've seen Labour and Conservatives both losing heavily today, losing to Reform, but also losing to the Greens and some places to the Lib Dems.

"And I think the Greens really are showing that we are the main challengers now to Reform."

​Reform deadline passes for turncoat Tories

Zia Yusuf has declared the "deadline has passed" for any Conservative MPs to defect to Reform UK.

Nigel Farage set a deadline back in January that no Conservative Party members would be able to join his party after the May 7 elections.

Reform’s Home Affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf wrote on X: "THE MAY 7 TORY DEADLINE HAS PASSED! NO MORE TORIES!"

Mr Farage added this morning: "No more Tories anymore!"

However, when asked about the potential to accept defecting Labour MPs, he said: "Who knows?"

​Deputy Lib Dem Leader Daisy Cooper backs Ed Davey to lead party into next election

Daisy Cooper has told GB News Sir Ed Davey is an "incredible guy" who will lead the party into the next general election.

She told The People’s Channel: "Ed is an incredibly intelligent guy. Ed has got a huge leadership experience. He's doing a fantastic job.

"He's led our party to become the largest it has ever been in the party's history.

"I love working side by side with Ed. We make a strong leadership team, but he is the right person to lead us into the next election."

Nigel Farage declares Reform to be 'most national of all parties' as he denies 'fluke' victory

Nigel Farage has declared Reform UK to be the "most national of all parties" while denying their electoral success is merely a "fluke".

Speaking in Havering after the populist party stormed to victory in east London, Nigel Farage said he was "thrilled and delighted" while Reform UK laps up council seats across England.

Asked if their success was simply a protest vote against Sir Keir Starmer's Labour, he said: "It cannot continue to be a fluke or a protest vote.

"I can honestly say you are witnessing an historic shift in British politics. This (Reform UK) is now the most national of all parties."

Reform UK won control of Havering Council after snatching at least 28 of the 55 seats in the local authority.

​Sir Keir Starmer: 'I'm not going to walk away'

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "not going to walk away" after suffering heavy losses in the local elections.

Asked if he had contemplated resignation, the PM told broadcasters: "The voters have sent a message about the pace of change, how they want their lives improved.

"I was elected to meet those challenges but I’m not going to walk away from those challenges."

​Sir James Cleverly: 'We knew this was going to be a tough night for us'

Sir James Cleverly has told GB News the loss of some hard-working local champions "hurts"

He said: "This was always going to be a tough night for us. We knew that. I think everyone was predicting that. And what we have seen is a mixed picture."

"We have lost some councillors, hard-working local champions and that always hurts."

"We knew it was a tough night because we were comparing these results to those in 2022, when we'd come off that Covid vaccine bounce."

Speaking on Sir Keir, the Shadow Housing Secretary said: "I thought Keir Starmer should have gone a long time ago.

"He has been consistently dishonest with the British people, both before the election, claiming that he would not raise their taxes and about this whole Peter Mandelson affair.

"So, look, the fact that the British voters have now cast their verdict unambiguously about Labour and Keir Starmer, I think, reinforces our position, Kemi's position, that he is not fit for office either."

Sir Keir Starmer takes responsibility for Labour's 'tough' local election results

Sir Keir Starmer has taken responsibility for Labour’s "tough" local election results, saying: "Days like this don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised."

Speaking at Kingsdown Methodist Church in Ealing, west London, on Friday morning, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The results are tough, they are very tough, and there’s no sugarcoating it.

"We have lost brilliant Labour representatives across the country, these are people who put so much into their communities, so much into our party.

"And that hurts, and it should hurt, and I take responsibility."

​Robert Jenrick: 'Keir Starmer needs to go'

Robert Jenrick has told GB News the Prime Minister "needs to go".

Responding to Defence Secretary John Healey’s defence of the Prime Minister, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman said: "Starmer needs to go. This was a referendum on Keir Starmer and the British public has voted overwhelmingly that they have no confidence in this man.

"He is the weakest Prime Minister that we've ever known. But will whoever replaces him be any better? No, I don't think they're going to be better.

"Whether it's Rayner or Miliband or Burnham. Whichever non-entity takes over, it won't make any difference because the problems are still the same."

He added: "What we need is a general election, so we can get real change and have a strong leader in Nigel, with a team around him that's capable of actually turning this country around and putting it once overall on a path to greater success for the benefit of everyone in our country."

Mr Jenrick went on to tell GB News Reform’s gains are "an historic rejection of the two old parties that failed the country for too long, in different ways."

He told the People’s Channel: "The Conservative Party promised that they were going to secure our borders and deliver a strong economy, but ended up delivering open borders and economic stagnation for working people, the length and breadth of the country.

"The Labour Party promised change, but they just delivered more of the same. And people have had enough.

"They can see the country is in a mess. They are stunned when they hear Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch deny that, and they are investing in Nigel Farage and Reform to turn this country around, deliver wage growth, bring down people's bills, get crime down, secure our borders, lower immigration, do the things that they have been crying out for for years and years."

Nigel Farage: ​Reform is currently winning 1 in 3 seats across England

Nigel Farage has declared that Reform UK is currently winning one in three seats across England.

"We are a truly national party and here to stay," he asserted.

​James Cleverly concedes Reform UK ‘doing well’

Sir James Cleverly has conceded Reform UK "are doing well".

Speaking this morning, Sir James went on to blast the Reform leader over the “big questions” surrounding a £5million gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne ahead of the 2024 General Election.

Reform hot on Liberal Democrats' heels in closest results so far

Reform UK has come second-place in a tight-knit race with the Liberal Democrats in the closest call of the election so far.

In Saddleworth South in Oldham, the Liberal Democrats took home 1594 votes (35.04 per cent) and 1592 (35 per cent), separated by just two votes.

​James Cleverly: 'It's been a tough night for us…but disastrous for Labour'

Sir James Cleverly has said it has been a "tough night" for his party but "disastrous" for Labour.

The Shadow Housing Secretary said it would take time for Mrs Badenoch to get her message across.

He said: "Well, as predicted. It’s been a tough night for us, but we’ve made some real gains, against expectations.

"I’ve just heard we’ve taken control of Westminster Council. We held Fareham in Hampshire, Harlow in Essex, Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, and so we have got real pockets of good news in what we always knew was going to be a tough night.

"I think Labour have had a disastrous night, and we can see why, with the terrible situation they’ve created at a national level."

​Hull Councillors call for Sir Keir Starmer to go

Two Labour councillors in Hull have called for Sir Keir to go after the party suffered seven seat losses overnight.

The councillors became some of the first Labour figures to break ranks and call for a leadership change.

Speaking to Radio 4, Labour group leader in Hull, Daren Hale, said Sir Keir was "not the right man for the job to take us to the next level".

​John Healey insists Sir Keir Starmer is the person to 'turn this round'

John Healey has insisted Sir Keir Starmer is the person to "turn this round" as pressure piles on the Prime Minister.

Speaking to Times Radio, the Defence Secretary defended Sir Keir after Labour MP Jonathan Brash called for the Labour Leader to go.

Mr Healey said: "No, he’s not right.

"Keir Starmer won the mandate for five years from the public. We’re not even halfway through that Parliament. I think he can still deliver, he can still turn it round."

Asked then whether Sir Keir was the man to lead that change, Mr Healey said: “He is.

"I’m not dismissing how bad these results look set to be, but we have had difficult nights before, and we have worked our way back."

​Reform takes seven of eight seats in Angela Rayner’s constituency

Reform has taken seven of eight possible seats in Angela Rayner’s constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne.

Nigel Farage’s Party took some 41 per cent of the vote in what a spokesman for the party described as a "stunning victory in the Red Wall".

​Tories ‘coming back in London’ after taking control of Westminster Council

A Conservative spokesman has said the retaking of Westminster City Council shows the Tories are "coming back in London".

The spokesman said: "We are delighted the Conservatives have taken control of Westminster Council. Labour are set to have a terrible night in London, an area they swept in the last general election.

"Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are coming back in London. This victory is a clear sign of the progress the Conservatives are making under new leadership.

"This is also testament to the hard work of Conservative councillors and activists in Westminster. We are confident they will show that only the Conservatives are serious about delivering better services for lower taxes."

Tories wrestle back control of Westminster City Council from Labour

The Tories have wrestled Westminster City Council back out of Labour's hands after four years out of power.

In 2022, Sir Keir Starmer's party had unexpectedly surged to power in the heart of London, unseating the Conservatives for the first time in almost six decades.

But of the 54 seats available, the Conservatives won back nine, taking their total to 32.

Lib Dems hail 'stonking results' overnight - but cannot resist swipe at Nigel Farage

The Liberal Democrats have hailed "stonking results" overnight after gaining control of Stockport and Portsmouth councils, with deputy leader Daisy Cooper taking a swipe at Nigel Farage.

In a statement, she said: “The Liberal Democrats are on a record-breaking winning streak. We are heading for our eighth set of local election gains in a row and are on track to beat Labour and the Conservatives once again.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our hardworking teams across the country, who knocked on over three-and-a-half million doors to take the fight to Farage and his politics of division.”

Ms Cooper said she believes her party's "best results are still to come", as she set her sights on targets in Surrey, Sussex, Huntingdonshire, and Southwark.

She added: “While those on the populist extremes of left and right just want to pitch groups against each other, Liberal Democrats have a plan to fix what’s broken and bring our country together.”

Reform UK clinches first council of the elections as Conservatives ousted in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Reform has gained control over its first council of the local elections after seizing power from the Conservatives in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Kemi Badenoch's party had controlled the Staffordshire authority since 2022.

All 44 seats were up for grabs on Thursday, with Reform clinching 27 of them.

It was yet another poor result for Labour, who lost 17 of their 19 councillors in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

REVEALED: Labour's loss rate is WORSE than 2025 locals wipeout as Reform UK hails 'crushing defeat' for Keir Starmer

Labour's loss rate is now higher than their poor performance in last year's local elections, with Reform branding the results so far a "crushing defeat" for Sir Keir Starmer.

After 25 councils in England had fully declared their results, analysis showed that Labour lost more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of seats it was defending.

This is even worse than Sir Keir's loss rate in 2025 - when the party was defeated in two-thirds of seats it was attempting to win again.

On social media, Reform taunted Labour's poor set of results, writing: "Labour have gained no seats at all so far, and have lost 53 per cent of their seats that have declared already.

"This is a crushing defeat for Keir Starmer."

Labour surrenders control of Wandsworth as Tories become largest party

Labour has lost control of Wandsworth Council, with the Conservatives leapfrogging Sir Keir Starmer's party to become the largest in the authority.

All 58 council seats were in contention for the election, with 29 going to the Tories, 28 to Labour and one falling to an independent candidate.

It has now fallen under no overall control.

Labour Minister squirms as she's confronted by party's grim local election results

Watch as Justice Minister Sarah Sackman squirmed when she was confronted by her party's grim local elections record in the early hours of this morning.

Ms Sackman spoke to host Martin Daubney just as Labour had lost 128 seats, which he termed an "astonishing statistic".

He added: "The Labour Party, across 10 council areas, has lost 83 per cent of all of the seats it stood in. That is an historic low by some margin. It's turning into a terrible night for the Labour Party."

"It's looking like a very tough night," she admitted - but denied the local elections were a referendum on Labour's scandals in power...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour loses its SIXTH council of the night as Southampton falls under no overall control 

Southampton City Council has fallen under no overall control with Labour surrendering its sixth council of the night.

Sir Keir Starmer's party seized power of the Hampshire authority in 2022, but it has now slipped through their fingers after gains from Reform, the Greens and the Lib Dems.

Only a third of seats in the council were up for grabs in Thursday's election.

Zack Polanski calls on Keir Starmer to resign as Labour continues to hemorrhage seats

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called on Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Labour continues to suffer heavy losses across England.

The Greens are widely expected to make significant gains at the Prime Minister's expense as more results filter through on Friday.

Mr Polanski said: "Voters are backing the only party taking the cost-of-living crisis seriously.

"We are the only party with real plans to cut bills, reduce rents and provide genuinely affordable homes.

"These early results indicate that voters want to see that change too.

"That is why Keir Starmer has to listen to the people and go.”

Nigel Farage declares Reform UK on course for general election victory after sweeping gains across England

Reform leader Nigel Farage has declared his party are on track for a general election victory after making sweeping gains in council seats across England.

He compared his party's early success in Thursday's local elections to clearing Becher’s Brook, a famously difficult jump in the Grand National.

Mr Farage said: "If we cleared Becher’s Brook and landed well, we go on to win the Grand National.

“What is very clear to me is that our voters will stick with us now all the way through.

“They are not lending their vote to Reform.”

Labour surrender Tameside after Reform UK drubbing

Labour has lost control of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council after losing 16 seats in the Greater Manchester authority.

Reform triumphed in 18 of the 19 seats up for grabs, with the council now sliding into no overall control.

The result will be a concern to Angela Rayner - who is one of the three MPs representing areas in Tameside, alongside Jonathan Reynolds and the newly-elected Green MP, Hannah Spencer.

Reform UK boots Lib Dems out of Hull - but no party fills gap

The Liberal Democrats have been ousted from control of Hull City Council after a Reform surge in the East Yorkshire city.

Nigel Farage's party clinched 10 out of the 19 available seats, with the authority now slipping into no overall control.

Lib Dems take over Portsmouth as Ed Davey's party clinch second council of the night

The Liberal Democrats have seized control of their second council of the night after winning eight of the 14 available seats in Portsmouth City Council.

The Hampshire authority had previously been under no overall control, but the Lib Dems were already the largest party.

After gaining control of Stockport earlier in the night, a spokesman for Sir Ed Davey's party insisted they "can win right across the country".

First rumblings of Green surge appear as Labour evicted from power in Exeter

Exeter City Council has slipped out of Labour's hands and into no overall control after the Greens made strong gains in the Devon authority.

Zack Polanski's party won six out of the 14 seats on offer, with Labour surrendering five.

Exeter is home to 33,000-strong student population - a demographic that has been widely anticipated to swtich from Labour to the Greens.

Nigel Farage addresses elections wipeout with vow to make 'extraordinary' gains

“I think what you’re witnessing is an historic change in British politics. Forget left-right, there is no more left-right. It is gone, it is out of the window, it’s finished," Nigel Farage told GB News at his party's election headquarters just now.

“As you can see, we are scoring stunning percentages in traditional old Labour areas.

“We’re currently averaging about 39 per cent of the vote, of the seats that are in already, we’re currently on 145 seats won.

“We are way exceeding anything that I thought.”

When speaking about his predictions later Friday, he said: “What you’ll see tomorrow is the same pattern repeated across the south when we win Essex by an extraordinary margin and Norfolk by an extraordinary margin.”

Lib Dems seize control of Stockport as Labour lose out

The Liberal Democrats have clinched control of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council as Labour miss out yet again in the Greater Manchester authority.

The council had been under no overall control since 2021, but the balance of power has now tipped towards the Lib Dems after Ed Davey's party made narrow gains.

A total of 21 out of 63 seats were on offer.

Hartlepool MP demands Keir Starmer quit after his councillor wife is turfed out by Reform UK

The Labour MP for Hartlepool has called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign after his wife, who was a councillor, was ousted by a Reform surge in the area.

Jonathan Brash - husband of the now-ousted Hartlepool Borough Council leader Pamela Hargreaves - urged the Prime Minister to “set out a timetable for his departure” after Reform won all 12 seats up for grabs on Thursday.

He admitted to The Guardian that it has been a "terrible night" for his party.

Mr Bash said: “What I’ve seen here is extraordinarily good, hard-working, Hartlepool people lose their seats.

“I’ve seen canvassers working night and day in this election and it’s all been for naught and the reason has absolutely nothing to do with them.

“They are delivering for this town, they have been delivering for this town and the reality is we need change at the top of the Labour Party."

Labour lose grip on Tamworth after battering at hands of Reform UK

Tamworth Borough Council has slipped into no overall control after Labour was dished a heavy beating by Reform.

Nigel Farage party's scooped up all nine available seats in the election.

Labour OUSTED in Redditch and Hartlepool as two councils slip out of party's hands

Labour has lost control of Reddtch and Hartlepool borough councils, with both authorities now under no overall control.

Reform claimed eight of nine available seats in Redditch and scooped up all 12 up for grabs in Hartlepool.

Reform UK takes 16 of 19 seats in Sarah Pochin's backyard as 2025 success rolls on

Reform has stormed to victory in 16 out of 19 of seats up for grabs in Halton as the first full result of the night was declared.

Sarah Pochin, Reform MP for nearby Runcorn - who won her seat at a by-election last May - celebrated the outcome on social media, writing: "Wow. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the 16 brand new Reform UK councillors across Halton.

"Congratulations to each and every one of the team. A fantastic result and a huge step forward for Reform UK in Halton."

Nigel Farage's party took 15 council seats off Labour and one off the Conservatives in the Cheshire district.

Local election votes disqualified after council misprint gives Britons wrong ballot papers 

Reports have emerged from Oldham that a number of votes have been disqualified due to a council misprint on ballot papers.

At least 15 are believed to have been rejected from the Waterhead area after voters were mistakenly given papers listing candidates from a separate ward roughly three miles away.

The issue was raised shortly after polls closed on Thursday evening.

Labour clings on to control four councils in North West thanks to voting quirk

Labour will remain in control of Wigan, Chorley, Salford and Halton councils, but only due to only a third of seats being up for grabs in each authority.

Even if all available seats were taken off Labour by other parties, it still would not be enough to flip control of the councils.

Labour to be 'annihilated in the Red Wall' as Lee Anderson predicts Reform UK will scoop up more than 1,500 seats 

Lee Anderson has said he expects Labour to be "annihilated in the Red Wall" tonight, as he predicted Reform to win more than 1,500 council seats across the country.

Speaking from Reform HQ, the MP for Ashfield told GB News that his party were "smashing it" in the north west of England and that he believed winning at least 1,000 seats was "a benchmark".

He said: "Last night, I predicted we would get about 1,500 seats. It could be more because this time last year I was in a county hall in Ashfield. We were looking at getting 10 seats in my constituency. I was hoping for 3 or 4 seats - we won every single seat.

"I think we're going to see more of the same over the next 24 hours, and I cannot wait for the results to come in, because people have been laughing and sniggering at Nigel and the team when we've been saying 'vote Reform, get Starmer out'.

"As Nigel says, those people tomorrow morning and Saturday morning, they won't be laughing."

Reform UK boots out Labour in first result of the night 

Reform UK has kicked Labour out of the Chorley East ward in the first declared result of the night.

However, Chorley council will remain Labour-run as only a third of seats were on offer in Thursday's election.

Reform UK 'could secure EVERY SINGLE SEAT' in key Essex target council 

Reform could win every single seat up for grabs in a key Essex target council, Sky News have reported.

Basildon - current run by a Labour minority administration - had 14 seats on offer during Thursday's elections.

Reform currently hold just one councillor seat in the Essex borough - but should they sweep all available seats, they would become the largest party.

Turnout in the area is said to be much higher than usual, with levels on par with the last general election.

First Labour MP goes over the top to call for Keir Starmer's head before a single seat has been lost

The first Labour MP of the night has called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign before a single seat has been lost by the party.

Barry Gardiner, who has served as MP for Brent North since 1997, has told the Express that "Britain deserves a Prime Minister who can deliver the positive change we were promised".

The party veteran said: “Leadership brings responsibility. Labour’s defeat is Keir’s. He must accept that and stand aside.

"We need a leader who will restore the hope and optimism people had when they voted Labour in 2024.”

'Kemi's in trouble!' Reform UK chairman issues damning verdict on Tory performance as party admits: 'It's been difficult' 

Reform chairman Dr David Bull has told GB News that Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is in "trouble" after her party admitted Thursday’s local elections had been “difficult”.

Speaking to the People's Channel after polls closed, Dr David hailed the growth of Reform as "nothing short of remarkable".

After being asked by Martin Daubney whether he had seen any evidence of the so-called "Kemi bounce", he said: "I think they're in trouble as well - not to the same extent as Starmer, but I do think Kemi is in trouble."

Dr David added: "I don't think the media are concentrating enough on the demise of the Conservative Party.

"I find it very rich that they're sort of now singing from the Reform playbook. I just want to say to them, you had 14 years to sort all of this out.

"Let's look at the 200,000 illegal migrants that came here since 2018 on your watch, Conservative Party. You did nothing about it."

Reform UK feeling ‘bullish’ after polls slam shut across Britain

Reform sources have told GB News they are feeling “bullish” after voting closed across England, Scotland and Wales.

Party insiders disclosed to the People’s Channel that they are expecting to gain control of around 20 councils.

They say Nigel Farage has worked harder than both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch combined during this campaign.

“They can say what they want about Reform, but they can’t say we’ve not tried our best,” sources added.

The party have put up a "cocktail list" at their HQ, taking swipes at their rivals.

Drinks on offer include the "Rachel Reeves 'Rita" with "growth not included", and the "Kemi Badenoch Bellini, now with 100 per cent less sustained momentum".

The "Nigel Negroni" is described as "unmistakably strong".

Union chiefs call on Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister

Union chiefs have called for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister as they said Labour has moved "too slow."

One told The Telegraph: "He needs to go.

"The change and progress that was promised before the general election just hasn’t materialised. People are frustrated."

"Rebuilding trust has become so much harder because of Keir Starmer. The party desperately needs a bolder vision that speaks directly to the cost-of-living crisis."

Another added: "The Government is not good enough. It is too slow. The British state is bloated and enfeebled. It needs somebody to get things moving and cut through it."

Keir Starmer thanks Labour activists 

Sir Keir Starmer thanked party activists after polls closed in a set of elections widely seen as the biggest test for his premiership since the general election.

In a post on social media, the Prime Minister said: "To all the Labour members and volunteers who have supported local campaigns across the country: thank you.

"Together we will build a stronger and fairer Britain."

Andy Burnham pulls out of keynote speech as Keir Starmer's future hangs in the balance

Andy Burnham has pulled out of a keynote speech in Manchester tomorrow as Sir Keir Starmer's future remains on a knife edge.

The Greater Manchester Mayor was billed to speak at the Festival of Childhood in Manchester tomorrow.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Daisy Cooper calls for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has said her party is "raring to go" as she called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister.

The party's deputy leader said campaigners have knocked on "thousands and thousands of doors right up and down the country".

The St Albans MP said they had heard people are "sick to the back teeth of the last Conservative [government] and now the Labour government".

She added that Labour had "promised changed and they failed to deliver", and said it "is time for the Prime minister to go".

Candidates 'faced abuse and intimidation' over campaign

Candidates across England, Scotland and Wales "faced abuse and intimidation", the Electoral Commission has said, although they added polling day had run "smoothly."

Chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said: "Polling station staff dealt with any issues swiftly without disrupting the poll. Millions of people were able to cast their votes, and people had access to clear, reliable information about how to take part.

"We have been alert to the spread of false information, including AI-generated content. Where false or misleading information emerged, we worked quickly with partners to address and remove it. We have not seen significant deepfakes affecting these elections.

"Election teams across England will count the votes and declare results in their area over the coming days. In Scotland and Wales, counting will begin in the morning. Candidates, party agents and independent observers will be present at counts across Great Britain at every stage.

"We will now gather evidence from voters, candidates, administrators and campaigners to inform our assessment of these elections. We will look at voter satisfaction, the integrity of the polls, and the prevalence and impact of mis and disinformation.

"We will also look at the safety of those who stood for and ran in these elections.

"As in previous elections, we know some candidates have faced abuse and intimidation during their campaign. This comes at a great personal cost and damages our democracy. We will publish our findings in the autumn."

Conservative chair says party had run 'energetic and positive campaign'

Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake acknowledged Thursday’s local elections had been "difficult", but said his party had run "an energetic and positive campaign"

He said: "We have run an energetic and positive campaign, showcasing that we have a clear plan to get Britain working again and that we have the team to deliver it.

"It is clear that under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the Conservative Party has changed. Unlike Labour’s endless U-turns and scandals or the one man band that is Reform with a fishy five million pounds, Kemi is the only leader with a backbone. She will always stand up for what she thinks is right.

"We know that so soon after a historic general election defeat and contesting wards won during the party’s polling highs, that this will be a difficult set of elections for us.

"But we will continue to rebuild and to show the public that we have changed, to demonstrate that only this new Conservative Party is a credible alternative."

David Lammy concedes elections have been 'tough' for Labour

As polls closed, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the elections had been “tough”.

He said: "I don’t want to sugarcoat it, the message from the doorstep is this is a tough election cycle. This is a mid-term set of elections with people concerned about the cost of living and wanting to see the Government go faster with quicker pace."

Mr Lammy added that while Labour had run a "positive campaign", the party’s "message of delivery” had been "drowned out by the politics of grievance".

Labour's deputy leader takes aim at Reform and Greens

Labour's Deputy Leader Lucy Powell has admitted Labour is in for a "difficult night" as she took aim at Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski.

The Manchester Central MP said: "Labour has run positive, local campaigns right across the country, focused on our record of delivery, bringing communities together and addressing the public’s number one priority: easing the cost of living.

"The whole Party and government are so proud of our hardworking Labour candidates who serve their local communities and put themselves forward for election.

"These elections are tough and took place in a difficult context. After over a decade of Britain being held back, working people up and down the country rightly want to see the whole of our United Kingdom firing on all cylinders in their interests.

"Labour has started to deliver on that promise and we are determined to make it happen everywhere for everyone.

"Nigel Farage’s false promises and toxic politics won’t deliver the change people want to see. Zack Polanski has proved this week that he is unfit for office and has all the wrong answers to the problems our country faces.

"Labour will continue working every day putting our values into action and delivering the fairer future people want to see – by bearing down on the cost of living, fixing our NHS, taking on vested interests and rewiring the country to bring about a better Britain, built for all."

Ed Davey claims Lib Dems are on course for eighth consecutive year of election gains

Sir Ed Davey said the Liberal Democrats are on course for an eighth consecutive year of election gains.

He said: "As the polls close, I want to say a huge thank you to the incredible army of Liberal Democrat volunteers who have knocked on over three and a half million doors during this campaign.

"That is double what we achieved last year, and it is your hard work that has put us on course for an historic eighth consecutive year of election gains.

"In former Conservative heartlands and old Labour strongholds alike, we are standing up for decency and real change.

"What we have heard on those three million doorsteps is a clear verdict. People are deeply disappointed with a Labour government that has been too timid to fix the country, but they are also appalled by the rise of Reform and Nigel Farage’s Trump-style politics.

"While those on the extremes of the right and the left want to burn everything down, Liberal Democrats want to fix what’s broken. Every Liberal Democrat local champion elected today will fight tirelessly for the communities they serve."

Zack Polanski says Greens are ready for 'record-breaking result'

Green Party leader Zack Polanski tonight predicted "a record-breaking result" for the party across England and Wales as polls closed.

Zack Polanski said: "I’ve travelled across England and Wales and I’m hearing the same everywhere I go, confidence that we will win more councillors than ever before.

"The news from the doorstep is that we will be taking seats from not just Labour but the Tories and Lib Dems too, from all across the country.

"Voters are responding to the fact that Greens are the only party taking the cost-of-living crisis seriously, with real plans to cut bills, reduce rents and provide genuinely affordable homes, as well as tackling the climate and nature crisis.

"Many councils are counting throughout Friday, so we will have to be patient to see the Green wins coming in.

"We are very confident that we will gain many seats in London, but we look forward to seeing results coming in from all across the country.

"From Newcastle and Bradford through to Sussex and of course, the Senedd election where we expect to make a historic Green breakthrough to Wales’ national parliament."

Kemi Badenoch 'inspired' by work of local Conservatives

Kemi Badenoch said she was "inspired" by the work of local Conservatives as she thanked her team.

The Conservative leader said: "I have been so inspired by the work I've seen from our members, candidates and supporters who have been out knocking on doors, delivering leaflets and making calls.

"I’m proud and indeed lucky to lead such a great team of people

"Thank you for every conversation, every hour volunteered and every effort made to help us fight for a stronger, Conservative, future."

Where are the key councils to look out for?

All 32 London borough councils will be a good indicator for how Labour are currently holding up, with the party being squeezed by both Reform UK and the Green Party.

While Zack Polanski's party look to make gains in councils including Haringey, Hackney and Lewisham, Reform are looking to take on Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives for control of Bexley, Bromley and Hillingdon.

The Liberal Democrats are looking to keep control of their Richmond upon Thames stronghold and gain Merton off Labour, with the Conservatives aiming to take back the “crown jewel” councils of Wandsworth and Westminster.

Birmingham City Council is another key seat to keep an eye on, where all eyes will be on the performance of the pro-Gaza independents.

In the East of England Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives are braced for a tough night, as Reform UK is set to take the Tory strongholds of both Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as Thurrock from Labour.

Up in Yorkshire, the Greens are also set to perform well in cities such as Leeds, while the Lib Dems will be hoping to improve their showing in Sheffield.