Sir Keir Starmer is set to formally launch Labour’s local election campaign today, framing the upcoming May 7 contests as a battle for the party’s values at a time when its standing in the polls has fallen sharply.
The Prime Minister will travel to the West Midlands to open the campaign, where he is expected to be joined by deputy leader Lucy Powell and other senior Cabinet figures. His address will centre on Labour’s campaign tagline — “Pride in Britain” — as the party attempts to mount a defence against mounting pressure from two directions: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK on the right, and Zack Polanski’s Greens on the left.
“This is about pride and hope,” Sir Keir is expected to say. “This is the political choice in this election. Our opponents respond to this war on two fronts by dividing our communities. We meet this test by unlocking the pride that is in our communities.”
The Prime Minister will pledge to “fight to earn every vote” and is set to frame Labour’s campaign in explicitly combative terms, vowing to “fight for our values and fight for the country we are building together — a Britain built for all.”
The tone of the launch reflects the scale of the challenge facing Labour ahead of what could prove its most difficult electoral test since returning to government. The party is reported to be bracing for significant losses across England, with some projections pointing to heavy defeats in key council areas.
Beyond England, the picture looks equally challenging. In Wales, Labour faces the prospect of losing power for the first time in 27 years, with Plaid Cymru positioned to make substantial gains. Meanwhile in Scotland, the Scottish National Party is expected to remain dominant, likely denying Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar any realistic path to becoming First Minister.
The breadth of those potential setbacks has placed this year’s local elections among the most consequential of Sir Keir’s leadership, coming less than a year into his first term as Prime Minister.
Despite the difficult political climate, the Prime Minister is expected to use today’s launch to project confidence, urging voters to “stand together” rather than what he will characterise as the divisive approach of Labour’s rivals.
