Tories suffer devastating losses in UK local elections

tories suffer devastating losses in uk local elections

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Teesside

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has insisted that sticking to his plan will deliver for the Tories after his party suffered shock mayoral elections losses in England’s two biggest cities.

A poll upset in the West Midlands saw Labour’s Richard Parker seize victory from outgoing Conservative mayor Andy Street by a mere 1,508 votes.

Labour stormed to victory in the London mayoral poll, with Sadiq Khan securing a historic third term in office, with a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Susan Hall.

The West Midlands contest, which the Tories were on course to win, was seen as a potential lifeline in an otherwise disastrous set of results for the Conservatives.

Results are in from 106 of the 107 councils in England that held elections on May 2 and they show Labour has won 1,140 seats, an increase of more than 200.

The Liberal Democrats beat the Tories into second place, winning 521 seats, up nearly 100.

The Tories are just behind on 513 seats, down nearly 400.

Sunak had hoped a brace of wins – alongside Ben Houchen’s victory in the Tees Valley mayoralty – could be enough to stave off rebellious Tory backbenchers.

Despite grumbling from some rebel voices, the UK Prime Minister appeared resolute that his leadership was still right for the party and the country.

In a statement, he said: “It’s been disappointing of course to lose dedicated Conservative councillors and Andy Street in the West Midlands, but that has redoubled my resolve to continue to make progress on our plan.

“So we will continue working as hard as ever to take the fight to Labour and deliver a brighter future for our country.”

Suella Braverman, the Conservative former home secretary, was quick to lay the blame for Tory losses at the door of Downing Street.

She said ousting Sunak as party leader “won’t work”, but wrote in the Telegraph: “The hole to dig us out of is the PM’s, and it’s time for him to start shovelling.”

Outgoing West Midlands mayor Street meanwhile urged the Conservative leader not to stray rightwards, and to stick to a moderate path in order to win votes in the future.

“I would definitely not advise that drift,” he told Sky News.

“The message is clear: winning from that centre ground is what happens.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer hailed the result in the West Midlands as “phenomenal” and “beyond our expectations”.

“People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour. Our fantastic new mayor Richard Parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the West Midlands,” Starmer added.

It came after his party dominated mayoral elections across England – winning in Liverpool, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and in Greater Manchester.

OTHER NEWS

22 minutes ago

Terrified Chicago mom rings 911 during home invasion - only for dispatcher 'to tell her to phone politician instead and ask for more police funding'

22 minutes ago

Man Utd, Newcastle targets among FIVE relegated stars who could make prompt Prem return

22 minutes ago

Member of Israel's War Cabinet says he'll quit the government June 8 unless there's a new war plan

23 minutes ago

Former Irish international rugby player and leading businessman Tony O'Reilly dies

23 minutes ago

How FICO leverages AI to optimize business decisions

23 minutes ago

Austria to unblock funds for UN Palestinian relief organisation

23 minutes ago

The U.S. economy and inflation might be cooling off, but lower interest rates are still far away

23 minutes ago

Super Swiatek wins another 'great battle' against Sabalenka for third Rome title

25 minutes ago

Cork fend off Clare fightback to pick up valuable win in Ennis

25 minutes ago

Meet the 'replacements' who could take over seats in Europe if elected MEPs bow out

25 minutes ago

Why are some Australian households about to be charged for generating too much solar power?

25 minutes ago

'An achievement I am extremely proud of'

25 minutes ago

#PiyushGoyalToNews18 | Union Minister Piyush Goyal In An Exclusive Interview With Network18| N18S

25 minutes ago

Maple Leafs' Draft Day Surprise Looks More Like Genius Move with Knights' Easton Cowan

25 minutes ago

Phil Foden voted Premier League player of the season over Arsenal and Chelsea stars

27 minutes ago

Sugar’s big twist was more than a gimmick

27 minutes ago

6 Penn students among 19 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during attempt to occupy building

28 minutes ago

Dallas Stars into their 2nd West final in a row after knocking out last two Cup champions

31 minutes ago

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano - La Liga

32 minutes ago

Lathicharge in Mulund as MVA accuses BJP of doling out 'huge' cash

32 minutes ago

What Ross Atkins’ comments tell us about Blue Jays’ next moves

32 minutes ago

Prince Edward says death of Queen Elizabeth so soon after Prince Philip made it ‘far more emotional’

32 minutes ago

Children glued to their phones at meal time face obesity risk

32 minutes ago

Alabama Softball Wins on a Surprise Home Run

32 minutes ago

Mariners Moose Tracks, 5/18/24: Jonny Farmelo, David Fletcher, and Jung Hoo Lee

33 minutes ago

As ethnic armed group claims to have captured a town in western Myanmar, Muslim Rohingyas flee again

35 minutes ago

‘Oh, Canada’ Producers Talk Nerve-Racking Wait For Interim Agreement – Cannes

35 minutes ago

Diddy 'is terrified other damaging videos will emerge after he was filmed beating up ex Cassie Ventura in hotel hallway and is holding crisis talks with lawyers as his career implodes'

36 minutes ago

Canucks-Oilers Notebook: Skinner’s return, McDavid’s disappearance, and MIller’s growth

36 minutes ago

SBNation Reacts Results: Seahawks fans expecting return to the postseason

36 minutes ago

Highlights! ‘Thunder’ Injects Fury-Usyk PPV With Melting KO

36 minutes ago

Instagram generation confuse normal stress and anxiety with mental health conditions

36 minutes ago

Richards Bay slip closer to play-offs after City defeat

36 minutes ago

Imprisoned British-Russian dissident thanks Cambridge college for honour

36 minutes ago

Ferrari upgrades overhyped? Carlos Sainz hits out over ‘out of reality’ Imola predictions

37 minutes ago

Houston distributes water as more than 500,000 remain without power after devastating storms

38 minutes ago

Driver who struck and killed Glenview teenager was going 122 MPH at time of fatal crash: court docs

39 minutes ago

Ben Affleck seen WITHOUT his ring for the first time amid claims he and Jennifer Lopez have been living apart for 'several WEEKS'

39 minutes ago

Amy Winehouse's viral hot mic moment dissing Justin Timberlake at the 2008 Grammys CUT from new Back To Black biopic

40 minutes ago

John Wayne Bobbitt says women cut off their partners’ penises out of ‘jealousy,’ unfulfilled ‘childhood dreams’ in response to grisly Colorado murder

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch