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  • Mapped: the elections that could deliver ‘unprecedented’ losses for Labour Alex Clark and Ashley Kirk
    All signs point to a record-low performance for Labour in May in what will be a moment of high jeopardy for Keir StarmerLabour is on track for its worst local election performance, data analysed by the Guardian shows, in a blow that will pile further pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership.Barring a drastic change in fortunes, Labour’s vote-share could fall to historic lows across elections for councils in England and devolved parliaments in Wales and Scotland on 7 May, with big gains for Reform,
     

Mapped: the elections that could deliver ‘unprecedented’ losses for Labour

23 April 2026 at 06:00

All signs point to a record-low performance for Labour in May in what will be a moment of high jeopardy for Keir Starmer

Labour is on track for its worst local election performance, data analysed by the Guardian shows, in a blow that will pile further pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Barring a drastic change in fortunes, Labour’s vote-share could fall to historic lows across elections for councils in England and devolved parliaments in Wales and Scotland on 7 May, with big gains for Reform, the Greens and nationalist parties, according to recent polling.

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© Composite: Guardian Design/PA

© Composite: Guardian Design/PA

© Composite: Guardian Design/PA

UK politics: Labour MP calls for Starmer’s resignation to end ‘psychodrama’ – as it happened

22 April 2026 at 16:30

Jonathan Brash says ‘own goals’ are distracting from Labour’s achievements

UK inflation accelerated to 3.3% in March after the Iran war triggered the biggest jump in fuel prices for more than three years, Richard Partington reports.

Today the Liberal Democrats staged a photocall to publicise their line about this being “Trumpflation”. Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader and Treasury spokesperson, said:

People across our country have been struggling for years with a devastating cost-of-living crisis and Donald Trump’s idiotic war in Iran has added to it. The cost of fuel is soaring, mortgage rates are rising and fixed energy deals are already going up by hundreds of pounds.

But what is utterly inexcusable is that there are politicians in this country - Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch - who are happy to cheerlead Donald Trump as he hikes people’s bills. All the while this Labour government promised to fix the country but instead we’ve got political Groundhog Day: yet more sleaze and scandal.

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© Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Mobile phones to be banned in schools in England under new plans

20 April 2026 at 18:52

Government amendment to children’s wellbeing and schools bill to replace existing guidance with statutory ban

A ban on mobile phones in schools in England is to be introduced by the government to ensure that “critical safeguarding legislation” is passed.

The government will table an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill in the House of Lords after the bill was held up by peers on opposition benches.

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© Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

© Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

© Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Starmer should face Commons inquiry over Mandelson vetting, says Ed Davey

17 April 2026 at 07:17

Exclusive: Liberal Democrat leader calls for privileges committee to investigate whether PM misled parliament

A powerful Commons committee should investigate whether Keir Starmer misled parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, Ed Davey has said.

The Liberal Democrat leader called for the prime minister to be investigated by the privileges committee to determine whether he committed contempt of parliament, an offence that can lead to a ministerial resignation.

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© Photograph: Carl Court/PA

© Photograph: Carl Court/PA

© Photograph: Carl Court/PA

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