Sir Keir Starmer will outline plans to reset his leadership following “unnecessary mistakes” and a disastrous set of local election results.
The Prime Minister said he was “not going to walk away” from the challenges facing him, despite continued speculation about his position.
Labour had lost hundreds of councillors by Friday morning, with later results from Scotland, Wales and local authorities in England expected to heap further pressure on the Prime Minister.
Speaking in Ealing, west London, where Labour retained control despite losing 10 seats, Sir Keir said: “The voters have sent a message about the pace of change, how they want their lives improved.
“I was elected to meet those challenges but I’m not going to walk away from those challenges.”
The King’s Speech on Wednesday will offer a chance for a reset as he sets out the next steps for his premiership.
Sir Keir told Labour activists: “We’ve made some big calls, to stabilise our public finances, to invest in our public services, not to get dragged into a war in Iran.
“But we’ve also made unnecessary mistakes, one of which was that although we were right to level with the public about the scale and depth of the challenges we face, we didn’t do enough to convince them that things will get better, that things will improve, the hope.
“And that is why in the coming days I’m going to set out the steps that we will take to deliver the change that they want and that they deserve.”
He added: “These are tough results, but tough days like this, they don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised at the general election – they strengthen my resolve to do so.”
Labour’s losses included losing lost its majority on Tameside council after an uninterrupted run of 47 years – the authority which includes former deputy party leader Angela Rayner’s constituency.
She is viewed as a potential challenger to Sir Keir, along with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, whose path back to Westminster will be complicated by the need to win a by-election in the face of a strong showing by Reform UK in the North West.
A potential leadership change must be “on the agenda” if Labour has “nightmare” local, Senedd and Holyrood elections, Labour MP John McDonnell said.
To the voters who put their trust in us to deliver for your community, and for the volunteers who pounded the streets to elect Labour candidates, we thank you.
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) May 7, 2026
Together, we will make Britain a stronger, fairer country for all.
Lots done, lots more to do.🌹 pic.twitter.com/fmi2zAZa87
But he told the Press Association: “If there is to be a leadership change, it has to be an orderly transition, not a coup.”
Labour MP Jonathan Brash, who watched as his wife lost her seat on the council in his Hartlepool constituency, said: “I’m looking for change at the top of the Labour Party.
“It’s clear to me that the Prime Minister should take this opportunity to set out a timetable for his own departure, and then allow for the widest possible leadership election that includes all the talents of our party.”
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