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The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Starmer will hope he’s dodged the axe for now – but these elections leave Britain more fragmented than ever | Jonathan Freedland

Even if all the results were not as catastrophic as expected for Labour, the writing is on the wall for the old ways of doing politics He wants a little more time and he may just get it. It seems there was enough in the results of Thursday’s elections to allow Keir Starmer to fend off calls for his immediate exit. But that should not obscure the bigger picture, which is not only disastrous for Labour but also has alarming implications for British politics – and even the future of the country. St

Politics
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Lib Dems can counter extremes of Reform and Greens, Davey says

Party makes gains in Portsmouth and Richmond-upon-Thames in local elections but loses a Scottish stronghold Elections 2026 – live updates Full results from England, Scotland and Wales Ed Davey has sought to cast Liberal Democrat wins in England’s local elections as proof his party is best positioned to confront what he described as the “extreme populist change” offered by Reform UK and the Greens. As Labour assessed a disastrous set of results, the Lib Dems were able to claim they had been ab

PoliticsEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

What do the unfolding local election results mean? Our panel responds

Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski have reason to celebrate – but what next for Labour and the Tories now that the two-party system has been demolished? Continue reading...

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Robert Jenrick’s rancorous relationship with former Tory colleagues aired live on BBC

Victoria Atkins accused him of abandoning friendship and said they had not spoken since he defected to Reform The rancorous relationship between Robert Jenrick and his former colleagues in the Conservative party was aired on live TV on Friday when an MP who backed his leadership bid accused him of abandoning their friendship. Victoria Atkins, the shadow environment secretary, revealed live on the BBC’s local election programme that she has not spoken to Robert Jenrick since he defected to Reform

PoliticsEnvironment
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

How Labour’s ‘terrible’ night unfolded as Reform surges and Greens and Lib Dems hail wins

Plaid Cymru set to take power in Wales and SNP to retain it in Scotland, but Reform made big gains in both nations Election 2026 live: latest news updates Full results from England, Scotland and Wales The polls were terrible, the predictions dire and even one of his predecessors as Labour leader, Ed Miliband, had reportedly told Keir Starmer he should set a timetable for his resignation. But for the prime minister, as polls closed in Wales, Scotland and many regions of England, there would b

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The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Nige is on full gloat, while Keir clings on with a hunted look in his eyes | John Crace

Local elections appear to signal end of two-party politics with five parties in the game in England It all panned out pretty much as everyone had expected. Nigel Farage was insufferably pleased with himself. Keir Starmer looked hunted while insisting he was going to remain prime minister for ever. Longer possibly. Kemi Badenoch grinned wildly, saying the Tories were back in the game as they slumped to insignificance everywhere but the south-east. Ed Davey became supreme leader of the People’s Re

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

John Swinney declares victory for SNP in Holyrood elections

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, concedes his party was comprehensively beaten John Swinney, the Scottish National party leader, has declared victory in the Holyrood elections after only a handful of results confirmed Labour had been comprehensively beaten. Speaking to the BBC after holding his own seat of Perthshire North, Swinney said he was “absolutely certain the SNP is going to be the leading party coming out of this election”. Continue reading...

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Steve Hilton: British strategist becomes unlikely frontrunner for California governor

Former David Cameron adviser says a vote for him will make California ‘Califordable’ – not everyone is convinced He “knows how to wind people up like Trump”, according to friends, and made his name in the UK with zany policy ideas including making the country sunnier using state-owned cloud busters. Now the controversial strategist Steve Hilton, named the “pint-sized Rasputin” of Conservative politics, has become an unlikely frontrunner in the primary race for California governor. Continue re

Politics
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Nigel Farage dodges questions on £5m gift from crypto billionaire

Reform leader irritated when asked about money from Christopher Harborne on day of party’s election gains Election 2026 live: latest news updates Nigel Farage has repeatedly refused to answer questions about a personal gift of £5m he received from the billionaire Christopher Harborne, as the Reform UK leader sought to focus attention on the party’s election gains. Farage was clearly irritated when asked on a number of occasions on Friday about the money, which the Guardian revealed he had rec

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Labour’s better than expected thrashing may allow Starmer to cling on in No 10

Results are undoubtedly bad but expectations had been set even lower, and any potential challengers are quiet for now Elections 2026 – live updates Full results from England, Scotland and Wales As the local elections results rolled in, a trickle of voices were calling for Keir Starmer to quit – a couple of MPs, a trade union leader, and a Labour peer. The numbers are undoubtedly bad for Labour, with Reform making sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the north and midlands. These cou

Politics
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Does anyone on board know how to fly a plane? Labour’s captain has lost control | Marina Hyde

You never change the pilot halfway through a flight, says a clearly rattled David Lammy. Can’t he see that his party is in a tailspin? A couple of days ago on a Swiss flight from Seoul to Zurich, a pilot experienced a medical emergency. Three doctors on board assisted, one of the other pilots assumed the controls, and the plane ended up landing without harm to life. Like me, you will be absolutely appalled that David Lammy wasn’t also on the passenger manifest, hammering furiously on the cockpit

Healthcare
The Guardian Politics8 May 2026

Greens unseat Labour to win mayoral election in Hackney

Zoë Garbett says ousting of Labour mayor in east London borough after 24 years is just the beginning for party Election 2026 live: latest news updates Full results from England, Scotland and Wales The Green party has unseated Labour from mayoral power in the east London borough of Hackney after 24 years. The new mayor, Zoë Garbett, told reporters she was “elated” and promised that Hackney was just the beginning for the party after it won with 35,720 votes to Labour’s 26,865. Continue reading

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