London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a change of direction for Labor after the party suffered a huge setback in London local elections, saying the results reflect “far-reaching disillusionment” among voters and an “existential” threat if it fails to change course.In a strongly worded statement after the results, Khan described the results as “extremely disappointing for Labor in London” and acknowledged that many traditional supporters had turned away from the party.“Many people who voted for Labor in the last general election are clearly feeling angry, disillusioned and disappointed,” the Mayor of London said. He said voters were disappointed with the “slow pace of change” under the current leadership.
‘Without a change of course, the threat is existential’
Khan stopped short of explicitly endorsing Labor leader Keir Starmer, instead calling for a major rethink in both political strategy and delivery.“Without a change in course and an acceleration in delivery, the threat to labor is existential,” Khan warned. “We risk repeating what happened in Scotland in London, Wales and across England, from which we have still not recovered.”The comments are being seen as one of the sharpest public interventions yet by a senior Labor leader following the party’s poor performance in local elections.
Progressive vote shift reshapes London’s map
The elections saw Labor lose control of several councils across the capital, while rival progressive parties made large gains in areas traditionally considered Labor strongholds.For the first time, the Green Party won control of London councils and also took over mayoral posts in several boroughs, highlighting a major shift among young and urban voters. Labor also suffered a setback in areas of North London, long considered a safe area.In parts of Tottenham and Haringey, Green candidates made significant gains, while in Camden, the Prime Minister’s own constituency, Labor retained control but lost a large number of seats to opposition parties.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage celebrated Reform UK gaining control in Havering, marking the party’s first council success in the capital. The Conservative Party also regained control of Westminster City Council.
Khan says labor achievements eclipsed
Khan argued that Labour’s achievements in government were overshadowed by “fundamental mistakes” and a failure to clearly communicate its progressive values.“Many of the government’s achievements have been overshadowed by fundamental mistakes and a failure to boldly assert our progressive values,” he said.Acknowledging that midterm elections can often prove difficult for ruling parties, Khan stressed that the scale of the losses could not be dismissed as simply routine voter frustration.
Pressure has increased on Starmer
The fallout from the results has increased pressure on Starmer within Labor ranks. Deputy Labor leader Lucy Powell acknowledged that the party “has to do much better”, although she insisted that Starmer would remain leader.“The prime minister is accepting responsibility,” Powell told the BBC. “He listens to what people are saying.”Simon Ofer became one of the first Labor MPs to publicly call on Starmer to step down, and warned that the party risked being “killed” at the next general election if there was not a leadership change.Also, all 11 unions affiliated with Labor have demanded an urgent meeting with the party leadership, calling for a “fundamental change of direction” on economic policy and political strategy.In a joint statement, the unions said voters had given a “clear message” that the government had failed to bring about the change expected by the people.