UK’s Starmer Vows Not to Resign, Pledges Closer EU Ties Following Election Losses

The prime minister has been under growing pressure to stand down following losses for Labour in the local elections at the hands of Reform UK.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech, at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in Waterloo, London, on May 11, 2026. James Manning/PA via AP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to remain in the job under growing pressure to resign after his Labour Party suffered major losses in local elections across the UK last week.

Under the threat of a Labour leadership challenge from a former minister, Starmer said in a speech on May 11 that rebuilding relations with Europe will be his Labour government’s defining ​mission.