The Labour Party may swing to the left following resounding losses in local elections rather than introducing stricter immigration policies that could further hamper universities’ international student recruitment efforts, policy analysts have predicted.
While counting was still under way, initial results from English council elections on 7 May showed significant gains for Reform UK at the expense of Labour, which was set to lose more than half its seats.
The Green Party also looked set to gain more council seats following its success in the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year.
In the devolved nations, the Scottish National Party has claimed victory in Scotland, while Labour has admitted defeat in Wales, with both Reform and Plaid Cymru vying to take the most seats in the parliament.
Responding to the results, prime minister Keir Starmer said the government will set out “further steps” it will take to win back the electorate before the next general election “in the coming days”.
