By 8 am local time, Nigel Farage's anti-immigrant Reform UK had gained over 350 seats, while Labour under Keir Starmer had lost over 240 across 40 of the 136 English councils to announce results so far.

As Labour faces record-breaking losses in Thursday’s local elections, prime minister says rivals are unfit to lead

Labour is resigned to losses but who its voters switch to will be crucial in shaping the new political landscape