British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to remain in office following heavy losses suffered by the Labour Party in local elections, which also saw significant gains for the right-wing populist Reform Party.

Speaking on Friday, Starmer said he would not step down, stressing that the country could not afford to “descend into chaos,” after the ruling Labour Party lost hundreds of seats in local councils across England and acknowledged defeat in Wales, traditionally considered one of its strongest political bases.

Vote counting is still ongoing, with Labour also bracing for difficult results in Scotland’s local parliament, amid growing public frustration with Britain’s traditional political parties.

The elections represent Starmer’s first major political test since Labour returned to power in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Early results suggest an accelerating decline of Britain’s traditional two-party system, alongside the growing rise of populist and alternative political movements.