LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer moved Saturday to reinforce his leadership after Labour Party suffered major election setbacks across England, Scotland and Wales.According to British media reports, Starmer appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance and named former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman as adviser on women and girls as part of efforts to “deliver change faster.”The reshuffle came after Labour endured heavy losses in local and devolved elections, while Reform UK emerged as the biggest winner in England.With results declared in 4,219 out of 5,036 council seats in England, Reform UK secured more than 1,400 seats, compared to Labour’s 997 seats. The Conservative Party also suffered significant losses.In Wales, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, became the second-largest party in the Senedd with 34 seats, while Plaid Cymru won 43 seats to end Labour’s 27-year dominance in Welsh politics.In Scotland, the Scottish National Party secured a fifth consecutive victory with 58 seats, though short of an outright majority. Labour and Reform UK each won 17 seats.Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell acknowledged public frustration, saying the party needed to “do a lot better.”Senior Labour MP Clive Betts described the results as “pretty devastating” and suggested Starmer should consider stepping down in the future.Former Labour minister Catherine West also called for “new leadership,” saying the party needed “an honest conversation” about its direction.Meanwhile, Reform UK hailed the elections as a major breakthrough, with party chairman Zia Yusuf calling the outcome “historic.”LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer moved Saturday to reinforce his leadership after Labour Party suffered major election setbacks across England, Scotland and Wales.According to British media reports, Starmer appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance and named former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman as adviser on women and girls as part of efforts to “deliver change faster.”The reshuffle came after Labour endured heavy losses in local and devolved elections, while Reform UK emerged as the biggest winner in England.With results declared in 4,219 out of 5,036 council seats in England, Reform UK secured more than 1,400 seats, compared to Labour’s 997 seats. The Conservative Party also suffered significant losses.In Wales, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, became the second-largest party in the Senedd with 34 seats, while Plaid Cymru won 43 seats to end Labour’s 27-year dominance in Welsh politics.In Scotland, the Scottish National Party secured a fifth consecutive victory with 58 seats, though short of an outright majority. Labour and Reform UK each won 17 seats.Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell acknowledged public frustration, saying the party needed to “do a lot better.”Senior Labour MP Clive Betts described the results as “pretty devastating” and suggested Starmer should consider stepping down in the future.Former Labour minister Catherine West also called for “new leadership,” saying the party needed “an honest conversation” about its direction.Meanwhile, Reform UK hailed the elections as a major breakthrough, with party chairman Zia Yusuf calling the outcome “historic.”
Starmer moves to steady Labour after major election losses across UK
