The Papers: 'Labour's historic battering' and 'Vernon and Tess split'

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Labour's historic battering' and 'Vernon and Tess split'16 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleMany of the front pages lead with the immediate fallout from Labour's election losses across England, Scotland and Wales. The Times calls the election results "Labour's historic battering". The paper says the party faces an "existential threat" after it lost "1,300 councillors, was routed in Wales and gave up areas in the traditional heartlands it had controlled for a century".

In addition to losing seats across the north of England and Midlands to Reform UK, "Labour haemorrhaged support to the Greens on the left in its former strongholds in inner-city London". "MPs break cover with calls for Starmer to quit," is the Daily Telegraph's headline, writing that some Labour backbenchers and union bosses said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "could not lead the party into the next election unless he 'delivers significant and urgent change'. ""Starmer defies MPs' calls to quit", is the FT Weekend's take, summarising the results as "big gains" for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party and "Labour routed in Wales and Scotland".

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Financial markets "had a doomsday scenario for Labour and Starmer", Investment director Matthew Amis tells the paper, as bond markets regard Sir Keir and his Chancellor Rachel Reeves as "bulwarks against a more leftwing government". "Keir Starmer is under pressure to set out a timeline for his departure after a crushing defeat in elections across Britain", reports the Guardian. It writes that Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat as Plaid Cymru beat Labour.

The prime minister is told "it's time to go", according to Labour MPs and union leaders who are calling for a change after the party was "thrashed in the local elections", the Daily Mail says. Allies of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the paper he was "ready to throw down the gauntlet to Sir Keir as soon as next week", the Mail writes. The i Weekend says "Farage plots path to No 10" following successes at the local elections.

"At least 10 MPs call for to stand down", but it notes his three main "leadership rivals" – Burnham, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting – are in a "stalemate" over the party's next steps. "PM vows: 'I won't walk away' after colossal defeat" is the Independent's headline, featuring a beaming Farage – leader of Reform UK - in front of teal posters. "Farage's vow to fix Britain" is the headline on the Daily Express, after Reform UK "triumphed in the local elections".

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The other big news to grace the front pages of the newspapers is the split of Tess Daly and Vernon Kay. The Daily Mirror reports that the celebrity couple are breaking up after 22 years of marriage. "The ex-Strictly host, 57, and the Radio 2 DJ, 52, said the decision was mutual," the paper writes.

"Bombshell after 22 yrs" is the Daily Star's splash about Daly and Kay's marriage break-up.

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