London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for a change in Labor’s direction after the party suffered major setbacks in London’s local elections, saying the results reflected “far-reaching disappointment” among voters and an “existential” threat if it fails to change course.In a strongly worded statement following the results, Khan described the result as “deeply disappointing for Labor in London” and acknowledged that many traditional supporters had turned away from the party.“It is clear that many people who voted Labor in the last general election are angry, disappointed and frustrated,” the Mayor of London said, adding that voters were frustrated by the “slow pace of change” under the current leadership.
“Without a change in course, the threat will be existential.”
Khan stopped short of explicitly backing Labor leader Keir Starmer, instead calling for a major rethink of both political strategy and its implementation.Khan warned, “Without a change in course and acceleration of implementation, the threat facing the Labor Party will be existential.” “We risk a repeat of what happened in Scotland in London, Wales and across England, where we have yet to recover.”The comments are seen as one of the harshest public interventions yet from a senior Labor figure in the wake of the party’s poor performance in local elections.
Progressive voting shifts are reshaping the map of London
The election saw Labor lose control of several councils across the capital, while rival progressive parties made significant gains in areas traditionally seen as Labor strongholds.For the first time, the Green Party has secured control of the London council and captured mayoral positions in multiple boroughs, highlighting a major shift among younger, urban voters. Labor also suffered setbacks in areas of north London, long considered safe.In Tottenham and across parts of Haringey, Green Party candidates achieved major successes, while Labor retained control in Camden, the area where the Prime Minister resides, but lost a significant number of seats to opposition parties.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage celebrated the UK Reform Party’s victory in control of Havering, marking the party’s first council breakthrough in the capital. The Conservative Party also regained Westminster City Council.
Khan says the Labor Party’s achievements have been overshadowed
Khan claimed that Labour’s achievements in government had been overshadowed by “fundamental errors” and a failure to clearly communicate its progressive values.“Much of the government’s achievements have been overshadowed by fundamental mistakes and a failure to boldly assert our progressive values,” he said.While acknowledging that midterm elections can often be difficult for ruling parties, Khan insisted that the scale of losses could not simply be dismissed as routine voter frustration.
Pressure is mounting on Starmer
The fallout from the results has intensified pressure on Starmer within Labor ranks. Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, admitted the party “must do much better”, although she insisted Starmer would continue as leader.“The prime minister bears responsibility,” Powell told the BBC. “He hears what people are saying.”Simon Over has become one of the first Labor MPs to publicly call for Starmer to step down, warning that the party risks being “slaughtered” at the next general election if there is no change in leadership.Meanwhile, all 11 of the Labor Party’s unions demanded an urgent meeting with the party leadership, calling for a “fundamental change of direction” on economic policy and political strategy.The unions said in a joint statement that voters had sent a “clear message” that the government had failed to deliver the change people expected.