Local government elections are being held across the United Kingdom on Thursday, viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s turbulent tenure. Analysts suggest the results could accelerate Starmer’s departure and signal a major political shift. The Labour Party faces potential heavy losses in England’s local councils and in the semi-autonomous legislatures of Scotland and Wales, driven by public frustration over the weak economy, rising living costs, and declining trust in Starmer’s leadership.

The economic crisis has deepened due to disrupted oil supplies following the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, while Starmer’s decision to appoint scandal-linked Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington has further eroded his popularity. Polls indicate Labour could lose more than half of its 2,500 council seats, as the far-right Reform UK party campaigns under the slogan “Vote Reform, Remove Starmer.”

Experts warn that a major defeat could trigger an internal revolt within Labour, with figures such as Health Minister Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham rumored as potential challengers. Meanwhile, nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales are expected to gain ground, potentially reigniting independence debates.