UK PM Rishi Sunak admits ‘disappointing’ first electoral test outcome in British local elections

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday mitted it was a “disappointing” run for governing Conservative Party, with Opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties making significant gains in local elections.

Voters went to polls on Thursday to elect local representatives in 230 of England's 317 councils in what marked Sunak’s first electoral test at ballot box since British Indian leer took charge at 10 Downing Street in October 2022.

Even as results continue to be counted, Labour gained control of some of its top target councils including Medway in south-east England which has been under Tory control for 20 years.

Pollsters h forecast that a loss of fewer than 1,000 seats for governing Tories would be seen as a good result for Sunak, given that government usually faces a drubbing in local polls close to a general election – which is expected towards second half of next year.

However, that threshold seems set to be crossed and will d immense pressure on British Indian leer within his own party ranks.

“It is always disappointing to lose hardworking Conservative councillors,” said Sunak as early results and trends poured in.

"I'm t detecting any massive groundswell of movement towards Labour Party," 42-year-old prime minister stressed.

However, Opposition parties have declared results a big sign of things to come in general election.

"Make mistake, we are on course for a Labour majority at next general election. We've won trust and confidence of voters and w we can go on and change our country," said Labour Leer Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer travelled to Medway to celebrate his party's victory in Kent council with local activists.

"You didn't just get it over line, you blew doors off," he told crowd.

He said Labour were "on course" to win a majority at next general election.

Liberal Democrat Leer Sir Ed Davey, meanwhile, described results as a "ground-breaking night" for his party.

“ Liberal Democrats are big winners in this year's local elections," he declared.

While poll experts are striking a te of caution to say that local elections have never proven to be very reliable indicators for a general election, mood music around Sunak having taken over a deeply divided party without backing of wider British electorate has only got louder.

“ clear mess of night is indeed that Conservatives have done bly,” polling expert John Curtice told BBC.

" slightly more difficult thing for Labour Party is that yes, it has hit some of its targets and it has me significant gains alrey, [but] it is having to share spoils with or Opposition parties.

"And in particular, one niggle Labour Party will really have I think about se results if it continues is that yes, swing in local elections is almost what you would expect from national polls — but t quite,” he cautioned.

complete election tally will be clear only by Friday night but overall picture for large parts of England seems to be a move away from Sunak-led Conservatives, largely seen as a reaction to crippling cost-of-living crisis facing country.

Labour Party would have a nine-point le over Conservatives based on today's results, if all of Britain voted, according to a BBC projection.

term for Parliament is five years. As current Parliament first met on December 17, 2019, it will be automatically dissolved on December 17, 2024. Thus, next UK general election is t due until January 2025.