Starmer under pressure as Labour suffers heavy election losses including historic Wales defeat

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Starmer under pressure, as Labour suffers heavy elections losses47 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJoshua Nevett ,Political reporterandKate Whannel ,Political reporterPA MediaKeir Starmer addressed party members in Ealing, west London the morning after the elections Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will not quit as prime minister and "plunge the country into chaos", as Labour reels from significant election losses. The results in England, Scotland and Wales have piled pressure on Sir Keir, with some Labour MPs calling for him to set a timetable for his departure, although his cabinet allies have backed him for now. Labour has lost power in Wales, ending its 27 year-long rule, while the SNP appears likely to remain the largest party in Scotland.

Reform UK has been the big winner in England, picking up more than 1,400 seats and taking control of councils in areas where Labour and the Conservatives have been historically dominant. Many Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blowElection results so far at a glance - and what's still to comeLabour MP urges PM to go amid huge election lossesThe 's projected national share (PNS), which is calculated from results in more than 1,000 wards and estimates a general election where people voted along similar lines, makes Reform the largest party, on 26% of the vote share. The PNS puts the Greens in second on 18%, followed by Labour and the Conservatives neck-and-neck in third place on 17% - appearing to confirm the end of the traditional dominance of the big two parties in the UK.

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Labour has lost more than 1,100 English council seats, including in its heartlands across northern England and the Midlands, and faces further difficult results as counting continues throughout Friday. The results are bleak for Labour in Wales, where Plaid Cymru is now the biggest party in the devolved parliament, with Reform as the main opposition. Meanwhile in Scotland, the SNP is expected be the largest party in Scotland but fall short of an overall majority.

Labour's poor showing has fuelled further questions about Sir Keir's leadership, which have been growing for months. As of late Friday evening, 21 Labour MPs had publicly called for the prime minister to stand down or set a timetable for his exit and, privately, criticism of the prime minister goes far beyond the party's left wing. Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, said although the unpopularity of Sir Keir had come up on the doorstep, she felt now was not the time to move against him.

"We cannot descend into an irresponsible, messy, internal contest," Haigh told the , although she added that, if the prime minister did not change his ways, he "cannot lead us into another election". Haigh is an influential voice on Labour's so-called soft left, which includes supporters of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.