Trending Now - UK Local Elections Test Starmer's Leadership Amid Pm's Struggles

WHO:

AP News - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

AP News - Luke Tryl, pollster from More in Common

AP News - Tony Travers, professor in the Department of Government at the London School of Economics

AP News - Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London

AP News - Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

AP News - Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales)

AP News - Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK

AP News - Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party

WHAT:

ABC News World - Polls have opened for midterm local and regional elections in the UK.

AP News - Starmer's Labour Party is defending about 2,500 seats on English local councils.

AP News - Forecasters suggest Labour will lose well over half of the 2,500 seats it is defending.

AP News - The campaign slogan of Reform UK is “Vote Reform, Get Starmer Out.”

AP News - Starmer's government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth and repair public services.

AP News - Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, which has been criticized.

AP News - A possible snap leadership challenge could arise from a poor election outcome.

WHERE:

AP News - Elections are taking place across England, Scotland, and Wales.

AP News - Labour has dominated Welsh politics for a century and has held power in Cardiff since 1999.

WHEN:

AP News - The next national election does not have to be held until 2029.

AP News - Polling day is referred to as Starmer’s judgment day.

WHY:

AP News - Starmer's popularity has declined due to a weak economy and questions about his judgment.

AP News - The elections are framed as a referendum on Starmer and his government.

HOW:

AP News - The elections are expected to benefit parties on both the left and right, particularly the Green Party and Reform UK.

(UPDATED May 7, 2026 09:50 UTC)

Polls have opened for midterm local and regional elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party defending about 2,500 seats on English local councils. Forecasters predict that Labour could lose well over half of those seats, framing the elections as a referendum on Starmer and his government amid declining popularity due to economic struggles. The campaign slogan of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is “Vote Reform, Get Starmer Out,” highlighting the potential for significant shifts in political power as parties on both the left and right, particularly the Green Party and Reform UK, are expected to benefit.