Keir Starmer urges native election voters to demand change from ‘drained’ Tories
Keir Starmer urges Mirror readers to make their vote count as millions head to the polls today for the local elections.
The Labour leader issued the rallying cry as people across England and Wales cast their votes in the last ballot box test before the general election. In a letter to readers, Mr Starmer said: “Politics can – and should – be a force for good. It should tread lightly and restore the ordinary hope in people’s lives. But that doesn’t happen unless you vote for it.
“That’s why I urge Mirror readers to head down to the polling station with their ID and demand change from this tired Tory Party led by a Prime Minister too weak to call a general election. Because that change only comes with a vote for a Labour Party back in the service of working people.”
More than 2,600 council seats are up for grabs today across 107 local authorities in England, as well as 11 key mayoral battles where heavyweights like London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham seek re-election. Voters will also elect police and crime commissioners in England and Wales. And a crunch by-election is being held in Blackpool South after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton quit following a lobbying scandal.
Rishi Sunak is bracing for a tough night at the polls, with some analysts predicting the Tories could lose up to half their council seats. The fates of Conservative mayors Andy Street in the West Midlands, and Tees Valley’s Ben Houchen will be closely watched as polls suggest a tight race with Labour in both areas.
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Both men were accused of “desperation” after disgraced ex-PM Boris Johnson was wheeled out to support their campaigns ahead of polling day. In a not-so subtle swipe at Mr Sunak, Mr Johnson told voters to “forget about the Government” as he urged them to elect Mr Street in the West Midlands. The former Tory leader also released a video praising Mr Houchen, who he handed a peerage to in his resignation honours list.
The aftermath of the local elections will be a moment of danger for embattled Mr Sunak. Right-wing Tory rebels have been threatening to challenge him for the leadership if the party suffers catastrophic losses.
But Cabinet Minister Kemi Badenoch, who is seen as a future Tory leader, insisted that the PM was safe even if the results were dire. She told Sky News: “I think there’s a lot of noise being made by people who want to get attention but the Prime Minister has the full backing of the Cabinet, he has my full backing.”
