British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in London, May 11, 2026. JAMES MANNING/PA VIA AP
Political turmoil at the heart of the British government, coupled with an open crisis within the Labour Party, was the situation in the United Kingdom on the evening of Tuesday, May 12. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, clinging to power at Downing Street, refused to yield to mounting calls for his resignation following his party's disastrous results in the May 7 local elections.
Subscribers only
Reform UK records historic breakthrough in local elections that mark Labour's collapse and the end of two-party politics
Starmer had lost the confidence of nearly 90 Labour MPs out of 403, including three junior ministers. They argue that he has failed to deliver the change he promised the British people when he entered Downing Street in July 2024. In their view, his leadership style, lacking boldness and vision, is the wrong approach to prevent the far-right Reform UK, the big winner of the May 7 vote, from coming to power in the next general election, currently scheduled for July 2029 at the latest. Meanwhile, around 100 Labour MPs voiced their support for the prime minister.
