Sun, 07 Jun 2026 Berlin 00:19 DE / UKR / EN

Starmer vows to continue despite election defeat

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has rejected calls to resign after his party suffered heavy losses in local elections, vowing to fight the next general election.

Starmer vows to continue despite election defeat
Photo: i.guim.co.uk

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has said he will not resign after his party suffered heavy losses in local elections. According to the Guardian, Starmer said in an interview that he intends to contest the next general election. Early results from the local elections showed significant losses for Labour and gains for the right-wing populist Reform UK party.

Asked whether he would stand in a vote of no confidence against him, Starmer replied: “Well, we are not at that point yet. But I have said many times that I will not run away.” He acknowledged that the past ten days had not been focused enough and stressed that he was elected to serve the country.

Labour politician Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, had previously sparked a debate about “how politics needs to change.” Burnham is seen as a possible successor to Starmer if he were to step down. The next UK general election must be held by 2029 at the latest.