London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a change of direction for Labour after the party suffered heavy setbacks in London’s local elections, saying the results reflected a “far-reaching disillusionment” among voters and an “existential” threat if it fails to change course.In a strongly worded statement following the results, Khan described the outcome as “bitterly disappointing for Labour in London” and acknowledged that many traditional supporters had turned away from the party.“Many people who voted Labour at the last general election clearly feel angry, disappointed and let down,” the London Mayor said, adding that voters were frustrated by the “slow pace of change” under the current leadership.
‘Without a change in course, the threat is existential’
Khan stopped short of explicitly backing Labour 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 Labour is existential,” Khan warned. “We risk a repeat in London, Wales and across England of what happened in Scotland, where we have still not recovered.”The remarks are being seen as one of the sharpest public interventions yet from a senior Labour figure following the party’s poor showing in the local elections.
Progressive vote shifts reshape London map
The elections saw Labour lose control of several councils across the capital, while rival progressive parties made major gains in areas traditionally viewed as Labour strongholds.For the first time, the Green Party secured control of a London council and also captured mayoralties in multiple boroughs, highlighting a major shift among younger and urban voters. Labour also suffered setbacks in north London areas long considered safe territory.In Tottenham and across parts of Haringey, Green candidates made significant inroads, while in Camden, the Prime Minister’s own borough, Labour retained control but lost a substantial number of seats to opposition parties.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage celebrated as Reform UK gained control in Havering, marking the party’s first council breakthrough in the capital. The Conservative Party also reclaimed Westminster City Council.
Khan says Labour achievements overshadowed
Khan argued that Labour’s achievements in government had been overshadowed by “basic mistakes” and by a failure to clearly communicate its progressive values.“Too many of the government’s achievements have been overshadowed by basic mistakes and a failure to boldly assert our progressive values,” he said.While acknowledging that mid-term elections can often prove difficult for governing parties, Khan insisted the scale of the losses could not simply be dismissed as routine voter frustration.
Pressure mounts on Starmer
The fallout from the results has intensified pressure on Starmer within Labour ranks. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell admitted the party “must do a lot better”, though she insisted Starmer would continue as leader.“The Prime Minister is accepting responsibility,” Powell told the BBC. “He hears what people are saying.”Simon Opher became one of the first Labour MPs to publicly call for Starmer to step aside, warning the party risked being “slaughtered” at the next general election if there was no leadership change.At the same time, all 11 unions affiliated to Labour have demanded an urgent meeting with party leadership, calling for a “fundamental change of direction” on economic policy and political strategy.In a joint statement, the unions said voters had delivered a “clear message” that the government was failing to deliver the change people expected.
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