What is at stake in U.K. local voting ahead of a looming national election
NBCMay 02
UK: Labour Make Gains in Local Elections
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The Facts
Ongoing local election results in England have so far seen victories for Labour, the Lib Dems, independent candidates, and the Green Party at the expense of the UK's governing Conservative Party.
Alongside gains within the 107 councils up for election, Thursday's polling has also seen the Labour Party claim victory in the Blackpool South by-election following a 26% vote swing.
The Spin
Right narrative
Results show that, despite the Conservative Party's ineptitude, there is still hope for the survival of right-wing politics in the shape of Reform UK. While the Tories have collapsed, Reform's rise as the country's third largest party highlights an opportunity for the right to regroup and provide the UK with the change it thoroughly needs.
Left narrative
Local elections have once again confirmed Labour's dominant popular support. The rewards of Starmer's decision to shift his party closer to the political center are now on full display — a choice that seems destined to only further attract moderate voters as the Tories enter a right-wing civil war with Reform UK.
