Political situation in the UK

Starmer “disappointed” – but does not intend to resign

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer admits that the loss in the by-election in Gorton and Denton is “a big disappointment”, writes Sky News.

The traditional Labour stronghold fell last night to the Greens, who won by a good margin.

Starmer is already deeply unpopular among voters and Labour’s opinion figures have imploded since the landslide victory in the 2024 election.

According to The Telegraph, Starmer said after last night’s loss that he understands that voters are frustrated, but that he does not plan to resign.

– I will continue to fight for them as long as I breathe.

A spokesperson for the Tory Party, which finished even further down than the government party in last night’s election, tells the BBC that Keir Starmer “has killed Labour”.

Analysis: Green victory is Labour's worst fear

The Greens' victory in a by-election in the Gorton district in northern England last night may not seem like a huge deal at first glance. But it is, writes The Independent's Sean O'Grady.

"It's hard to overstate how good this was for Zack Polanski's rebels - and how bad it was for Labour and Keir Starmer, therefore."

For a century of British politics, Labour has been largely unthreatened by left-wing upstarts. Now, for the first time, that trend appears to have been seriously broken, and it could be a historic turning point for Britain, according to O'Grady.

The Guardian's Kiran Stacey writes that the night's outcome was Labour's worst fear. Not only because they lost a seat, but also because the Greens also beat Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK.

“It sends a clear signal to progressive voters that they do not need to vote for Labour to defeat Reform – a signal that could be disastrous for the government.”

The Greens win in the north of England for the first time

The Green Party defeated both Labour and Reform last night, thus taking its first parliamentary seat in the north of England, writes The Guardian.

Labour’s loss of the by-election in Gorton and Denton, an old party stronghold, is described as another severe blow to party leader Keir Starmer.

Plumber Hannah Spencer will now become the Greens’ fifth MP.

– Instead of working for a better life, we work to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being exploited. And I don’t think it is extreme or radical to believe that if you work hard you can have a good life, she says in her acceptance speech.
Political situation in the UK
The Greens win in northern England for the first time

The Green Party defeated both Labour and Reform last night, thus taking its first parliamentary seat in northern England, writes The Guardian.

Labour's loss of the by-election in Gorton and Denton, an old party stronghold, is described as another hard blow to party leader Keir Starmer.

Plumber Hannah Spencer will now become the Greens' fifth MP.

- Instead of working for a better life, we work to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being exploited. And I don't think it is extreme or radical to believe that if you work hard you can have a good life, she says in her acceptance speech.