The final results have been declared – and the damage to Keir Starmer’s party stands at 1,496 seats

Labour’s local election catastrophe is over as the final results from every poll have now been announced.

Keir Starmer’s party lost 1,496 seats and control of 38 councils across England in what is thought to be its worst local election performance in history. The Conservatives also suffered, losing 563 councillors and control of six town halls.

The big winners were Reform UK, which gained 1,451 seats, nearly as many as Labour lost. Nigel Farage’s party also gained control of 14 councils.

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The Greens gained 441 seats and five authorities, while the Liberal Democrats added 155 councillors to their total and one extra council – Stockport.

Three Greater Manchester councils which were Labour-led are now in no overall control: Tameside, Bolton, and Oldham. The party also suffered heavy defeats in Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, and Wigan, where MP Jo Platt said. ‘voters gave us a kicking’.

She told the M.E.N. on Friday (May 8): “It is about the voters. They wanted to give us a kicking and they have.

“This is about the voters. This is about listening and that’s what we’ve got to take stock of locally and nationally. We have got to listen to what they said and it starts tomorrow.”

Despite the disaster, Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on as Prime Minister. He said: “I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos.

“The results are tough, they are very tough, and there’s no sugar-coating it.

“[On] tough days like this, they don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised at the general election – they strengthen my resolve to do so”.

Nigel Farage called the results ‘historic’, adding: “We have absolutely torn the most massive historic chunk out of the Labour vote in the north of England.”

Mayor Andy Burnham has stayed relatively tight-lipped on the results. That has not stopped speculation mounting he will challenge Keir Starmer for the party leadership in the coming days or weeks.

Keir Starmer took aim at Brexit and said forging closer ties with Europe will be at the heart of his response to Labour’s dismal showing in the local elections, as he vowed to lead the party into the next general election.

The beleaguered prime minister is battling for his political future after Labour lost more than 1,200 council seats in England this week, and relinquished control of 37 councils.

Reform UK gained more than 1,350 seats and took control of 14 councils, including eight previously run by Labour – many of which were in the party’s northern English heartlands.

The results extended beyond the north of England as Labour also lost control of the Welsh Senedd for the first time – being reduced to just nine seats out of the 96 available in Cardiff Bay, with first minister Eluned Morgan even losing her seat in a a further humiliation, while the SNP claimed victory once again in Scotland.

In his first major interview since the elections, the prime minister told the Sunday Mirror that he would be “full-throated” about the need for closer ties with Brussels and insisted he would lead Labour into the next general election as he explained how he would attempt to continue with his 10-year project of “national renewal”.

The PM said: “I feel that Brexit has held back our young people. They should be free to work, study, travel in European countries, just as I was able to when I was growing up.

“That has been smashed away from young people because of Brexit. I’m not going to let Brexit stand in the way of their opportunities, and therefore we’ll push forward on that.”

Labour lost control of councils to Nigel Farage’s party in areas which voted leave in the 2016 European Union referendum, such as St Helens and Sunderland – both of which have long been seen as strongholds for the party.

In an apparent attempt to address the concerns of voters who felt left behind, Sir Keir promised “an economy that really works for everyone, wherever they live”.

The Sunday Mirror reported that No 10 and the Treasury are drawing up support for families, targeting fuel costs and household bills which have soared since the Iran war pushed up global oil and gas prices.

But Sir Keir faces a fight to keep his job as former Foreign Office minister Catherine West has promised to launch a leadership bid on Monday unless Sir Keir is ushered out by the Cabinet.

Speaking to The Independent, Ms West said: “We had cataclysmic election results last week and our response so far does not match the emergency that faces us. I am terrified we will end up with prime minister Farage.”

Around 30 Labour backbenchers have publicly suggested Sir Keir should either quit or set a timetable for his departure.

Mr Starmer said he would fight for his job in the face of a challenge. “I’m not going to walk away from the job I was elected to do in July 2024”, he said. “Of course the results are tough, they’re really tough and I’m not sugar coating that.”

Asked if he would lead Labour at the next general election, the prime minister told the Sunday Mirror: “Yes I will, and I’ve always said it’s a decade of national renewal, where the legacy we inherited was an appalling legacy on all fronts, not just the economy, which was broken.

“Public services were broken and actually the situation was worse when we got into office than we thought beforehand. There has to be a 10 year project of renewal, because if it’s to be done properly, that’s how it needs to be done.”

Labour’s election embarrassments extended into London, where the Green Party toppled a huge red majority in Lewisham to take control of their third London council. Zack Polanski’s party also ousted the Labour mayor of Hackney and won the borough’s council election, as well as taking Waltham Forest from Sir Keir’s party.

In an interview with The Observer, the prime minister brushed off the threat posed by the Greens and Reform at the next general election, despite their victories in Labour areas this week.

He said: “I have a strong belief that there aren’t many people who actually want Zack Polanski or Nigel Farage as prime minister.

“I think that the mainstream majority actually want to know that we, the Government, have progressive answers to the challenges that they face on a daily basis, and we need to spell out in terms and with conviction that we do have those progressive answers.”

Sir Keir responded to the elections by giving roles to two Labour grandees on Saturday – he handed former prime minister Gordon Brown a role as special envoy on global finance and made Baroness Harriet Harman his adviser on women and girls.

They will appear at the event, returning to Harrogate from Tuesday, July 14, to Friday, July 17, at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The event promises a packed programme of celebrity appearances, live chat shows, and agricultural showcases.

This year’s lineup for the Ariat GYS Stage includes Kelvin and Liz Fletcher of ITV’s Fletchers on the Farm, who will appear on Tuesday.

Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet will take the stage on Wednesday, Jules Hudson of BBC’s Escape to the Country on Thursday, and Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan will close the week on Friday.

Kelvin and Liz Fletcher said: “We are lifelong fans of the Great Yorkshire Show and can’t wait to return again this year.

“We are looking forward to taking to the Ariat GYS Stage for the first time to share our story of running a family farm as captured on TV.”

Peter Wright will also share insights from his recent filming experiences in India.

He said: “The Great Yorkshire Show celebrates everything that the countryside has to offer, from the very best livestock in the country, the best food, and much, much more.

“There is something for everyone, but don’t just take my word for it, come and join me and see for yourself at the 167th Great Yorkshire Show.”

Jules Hudson, a regular visitor to the event, will make his debut appearance on the Ariat GYS Stage on Thursday.

He said: “Over many years now, I’ve enjoyed the rare privilege of hosting Today at the Great Yorkshire Show for Channel 5.

“In my experience, a day at the Great Yorkshire Show is a day spent in the finest of company, catching up with old friends and making many new ones.”

Daily chat shows will be hosted by TV presenter Christine Talbot at 12 noon and 3pm.

Each session will be followed by meet-and-greet opportunities with the special guests.

There will also be two fashion shows daily at 11am and 2pm, featuring leading Yorkshire and UK clothing and footwear brands.

Tickets are on sale now, with adult tickets priced at £36.50, children at £13, and family tickets at £89.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society members pay £95 for a single membership or £155 for a joint membership.

The show, organised by the registered charity Yorkshire Agricultural Society, is expected to attract 140,000 visitors.

A total of 8,500 animals will compete for top prizes, and the Innovation Zone will return, along with events hosted by the Future Farmers of Yorkshire.

Free shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes from Harrogate Bus Station to the Showground’s White Gate, starting at 7.30am daily.

For tickets, visit: https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/

The reality TV star sadly lost his life at the age of 35

The mother of Jake Hall’s child has paid a heartbreaking tribute just days after the TOWIE star’s death.

The former The Only Way Is Essex cast member was found dead at the age of 35 with head injuries at a holiday villa on the island, according to The Sun.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”

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Hall, who ran a menswear brand, By Jake Hall, joined the cast of Towie in 2015, and dated co-star Chloe Lewis before quitting in 2024. He also dated Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri, with whom he has a daughter, River, eight.

On Saturday (May 9), Misse took to social media to pay a tribute to Hall, who she said is ‘deeply loved’. The Albanian model wrote that she promises to keep their daughter ‘safe, loved, and wrapped in the kind love you gave effortlessly’.

She captioned her tribute post with a broken heart emoji, and attached an image which said: “I never thought I would ever have to write this, and the pain of even putting these words down feels unbearable.

“There was no way you were ever supposed to go. My heart is shattered, and so is our daughter’s. You lit up every room you walked into – your smile, your charm, your energy that filled the air.

“The way you loved music, how deeply you felt every sound, your creativity, your mind, your spirit. You were so deeply loved by so many people, and seeing the love everyone has for you is both heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Your constant mission to stop me from taking naps still makes me smile.”

Misse went on to say how she loved Hall from ‘the very first moment I saw you’, adding: “Together we created the most beautiful girl, the one you loved more than anything in this world, beyond words. She adored you – her favourite person, her daddy.

“You will be missed. I promise to keep River safe, loved, and wrapped in the kind love you gave so effortlessly. You are at peace now.”

She concluded the post by saying she thinks Hall is ‘laughing together’ with her brother, who died in 2022, and said: “You left behind your mini version, our River, and for that we are forever grateful. You will always live on through her, and you will forever be with us.”

Following his passing, a number of his co-stars took to social media to pay their respects to him. The official TOWIE social media account, wrote: “Jake was a part of the TOWIE family for a number of years and we send our very deepest sympathies to his family and friends following today’s very sad news.”

Former TOWIE co-star Vas J Morgan wrote on Instagram that his death was a ‘deeply difficult loss’ and that he wishes they had more time together. Former Made In Chelsea star Akin Solanke also posted a photo with Hall on Instagram and wrote: “If I never told you how much you inspired me, I hope you knew regardless.”

Celebrity DJ Fat Tony shared a tribute to social media and said: “Devastating news we love you @jakehall such an awful loss to the world you beautiful man x.”

Sharing a lengthy tribute, PrettyLittleThing boss Umar Kamani wrote: “Ahhh Jake. I’m going to miss you so much my friend. Your energy, your pureness, your passion, your creativity, your love and many more.

“Just 2 weeks ago we were together laughing, joking and being mischievous as we always were together. You make me smile, dance, sing and playful because your energy was so infectious.

“You were an artist, creativity that always inspired me. I looked upto you so much for so many reasons, I wish you knew how much I loved you, I really hope i showed you my love clearly.

“You loved relentlessly, your beautiful daughter, your wonderful family, I pray for them so hard in these tough times. I can’t believe we will never dance together again in this life, but I can’t wait to do it again in the next life.”

He rounded off his emotional message: “I hope you look down and see the love and adoration the world had for you, something I know you wanted so much yet you always had it. Light up paradise my friend, I love you so much.”

She said: “I am doing some more challenging the current way that we’re approaching this crisis, and I hope that this will bring forward either a bit more fight on the current leader, or some leadership hopefuls, who will come forward and say, we’ve been challenged and this is our plan, to bring forward a change, and bring forward a change in the country, and bring forward renewed respect.

Brighter days and blooming gardens can truly showcase your home at its best.

With the arrival of spring and summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to sell your home.

Brighter days and blooming gardens can truly showcase your property at its best.

Belfast Live gets the lowdown from leading estate agent, Edel Curran, Downpatrick Branch Manager of Quinn Estate Agents, with her top seven tips to help your move go smoothly and make your home stand out to prospective buyers.

Tip one – first impressions really do count

It’s all about good curb appeal. Most of us will see a house for the first time online, driving past or through an estate agent’s window meaning you have seconds to capture your buyers’ attention, so make them count!

Tip two – decluttering

Edel says: “With an astonishing eight out of ten potential buyers unable to see past other people’s possessions, clutter is a big issue. I would advise starting the ‘great declutter’ about a month before you put your house on the market. Get rid of everything you no longer need and just keep the things you want. Trust me it will really make a difference!”

Tip three – transform you kitchen into the heart of your home

A well-presented kitchen instantly appeals to buyers, making them imagine themselves settling in and preparing delicious meals. To achieve this, ensure your worktops are spotless and free from clutter; remove unnecessary items and old tea towels, leaving only the essentials.

Add a touch of warmth by brewing fresh coffee or baking bread before viewings, which creates a homely aroma and inviting atmosphere. Finish off with a vase of fresh flowers to brighten the space, and make your kitchen a welcoming, stylish centrepiece that stands out to prospective buyers.

Tip four – light

Make sure every single room in your property is presented in the best possible light. Edel tells us: “For cozy rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, I would always suggest sellers to use soft neutral colours, perhaps coupled with one strong statement colour.

“Use fresh and ironed bedlinen and cushions, with beautiful, scented candles; details matter. Create spaces that feel like a boutique hotel that you don’t want to leave, because that’s what you want buyers to feel.

“Also don’t forget to let in the light, open the curtains, open the windows so you present light, bright airy spaces as these sell really well.”

Tip five – don’t neglect your outside space

“You are selling a lifestyle that goes beyond the walls of your actual house. Think of your garden as another room and make it look as beautiful as possible; mow the lawn, tidy the weeds, hedges and shrubs, plant some flowers and freshen up with a lick of paint to make it a space your buyers can really see themselves in,” suggests Edel.

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Tip six – a practical point

If you share your home with a furry friend, arrange for them to be out of the house, perhaps on a walk with a friend, while viewings take place. You may love your furry friend but not everyone feels the same way.

Be sure to remove all pet toys, bowls, bedding and other related items from sight to create a tidy, welcoming environment. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air, and light a few scented candles to neutralise any lingering pet odours, as the smell of animals can be a major deterrent for prospective buyers.

Tip seven – and possibly the most important point

When you are decluttering don’t get rid of your personality completely, just choose some choice pieces that you can display without overwhelming the space.

Edel says: “Keeping some selected personal possessions can help prospective buyers consider how they would decorate, furnish and create their new space. The right selected items can give a feeling of welcome and warmth during viewings, enabling buyers to feel that their story can be here too.”

Quinn Estate Agents has branches in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Carryduff and Banbridge. If you are thinking of selling your home feel free to get in touch with Edel on 028 4461 2100.

For further details about Quinn Estate Agents and to explore their full range of properties, please visit www.quinnestateagents.com.

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Robert Milkins told some home truths after losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible, as he spoke about his defeat to the snooker icon at the World Seniors Championship

Robert Milkins admitted he has been guilty of “disrespecting” snooker following his elimination from the World Seniors Championship at the hands of Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Rocket was forced to dig deep to secure his place in the final by the Milkman, who led 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 in the best-of-13 contest at the Crucible. Yet in a scrappy affair, O’Sullivan’s superior class proved decisive as he clinched a 7-5 victory.

Milkins’ exit came on the back of losing his World Snooker Tour card following a dramatic dip in form for the 2023 Welsh Open champion. Just two years ago, he reached the last 16 at the World Championship, but now faces a tough battle to reclaim his tour card through Q School.

In the wake of his defeat to O’Sullivan, Milkins conceded that he had nobody to blame but himself for his troubles. He said: “I’ve disrespected the game for too long. I was struggling to get back into it.

“There are signs of playing well but I just missed too many easy balls. It will come but I’ve got to put a couple of weeks in now before Q School.”

The 50-year-old then opened up about how he finds facing the seven-time world champion a daunting prospect. He added: “Ronnie scares the hell out of me always. I respect Ron. No other player does that to me.

“It is bad enough playing him when you are playing well. But when you are struggling, you’ve got no chance.”

The confirmation that Milkins had lost his tour card, which he first won in 1995, came after he was beaten by top amateur Patrick Whelan in World Championship qualifying.

Speaking to the Metro ahead of the World Seniors, he had said: “My heart weren’t in it [against Whelan]. And I know it’s sad because it’s such a big game. I sort of panicked a bit, even from 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, thinking, ‘What the hell is going on here?’

“He didn’t really miss much. His safety was really good. I give him a lot of credit. I thought he was very good. But it’s just up to me to get out of the rut now and try and get back to where I should be. At least on the tour.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan said on Saturday that playing conditions at the Crucible were far from perfect, following problems with a table earlier in the week. He said: “None of the players would make excuses, and we’re not making excuses.

“I thought me and Milkins were cueing well. But sometimes, you can fall out of position, chasing the ball. It’s hard to keep potting, especially under pressure. So I thought we did well under the conditions.”

O’Sullivan will face the winner of Saturday evening’s semi-final between Craig Steadman and Joe Perry. Sunday’s best-of-19 final, which gets under way at 12.30pm, will be shown live on Channel 5.

Remaining British passengers and crew aboard MV Hondius will be heading back to the UK on Sunday

Two British nationals confirmed to have hantavirus have been hospitalised, while a third suspected to have the virus has left the cruise ship MV Hondius affected the deadly virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed the three cases this week and has now confirmed that the two Brits determined to have hantavirus have been hospitalised, one in South Africa and another in the Netherlands. The third British national case left the ship on Tristan da Cunha where they live and are being monitored by health services on the island.

British nationals including passengers and staff remain aboard MV Hondius headed for the UK.

None of the British nationals on board are currently reporting symptoms, but they are being closely monitored, the UKHSA has said.

The hantavirus cruise ship outbreak has been traced back to a birdwatcher who visited an infamous landfill site.

UK government staff are preparing to support the British nationals when it docks in Tenerife on Sunday, May 10. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

British passengers and crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK government staff to an airport and a chartered flight will fly them back to the UK.

Passengers, crew and medical teams on the flight will wear personal protective equipment such as face masks as they travel back to the UK and as they transfer to Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral.

The UKHSA has assured that “risk to the public in the UK will remain very low.”

While at Arrowe Park and within 72 hours, public health specialists will assess the passengers and decided whether they can isolate at home or if they will need to isolate at another suitable location.

All British passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius will be asked to isolate for up to 45 days upon returning to the UK.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said: “We continue to work at pace with our international partners to ensure the safe repatriation of British nationals from the MV Hondius.

“The safety and well-being of those on board remains our number one priority.

“Established infection control measures will be in place at every step of the journey, and passengers will receive full support throughout, including during their period of isolation.

“We recognise that this has been an incredibly difficult and unsettling time for those affected and their loved ones at home.

“As they prepare for their journey back to the UK, we ask the media to respect the privacy of passengers and their families during what remains a challenging time.”

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An 82-year-old grandfather has raised thousands for sick children after completing a gruelling 24-hour water marathon and breaking two world records.

Tony Fahey, from Cheshire, recruited a four-person team of two sons and two grandchildren and worked with a designer to build a human-powered watercraft he describes as ‘a boat with a cross-trainer on it’.

The team planned to take turns in two-hour shifts but Tony himself took on the first leg and smashed his own personal best with a stretch of 2hrs 20mins, during which time he covered an impressive five miles — the longest any of the team did in one hit — and scooped him two world records.

The gargantuan effort took its toll, and Tony was carried off the pontoon when he finished.

The team – sons Sebastian and Christian, granddaughter Aimee and grandson Charlie – who took it in turns to ‘walk on water’ through the night, have been training five days a week for the challenge, which they had hoped would be record-breaking.

They set out to cover 80km, but their GPS tracker finally read 104.97km, taking them into the record books yet again.

There was little rest, with fatigue and cold setting in after dark. A blow-up bed set up by the water gave respite here and there – but, Tony said, this was a battle of wills.

Despite putting the work in beforehand, they knew it would be tough. 

‘It’s not an easy thing to do,’ Tony told Metro. ‘This challenge took its toll on my 82-year-old body like nothing before. The non-stop walking, pulling and pushing motions drove through every muscle and joint. Exhaustion really set in when the sun set and we continued without a break. 

‘‘I wanted to quit more times than I could count.’ 

Tony, a former powerboat racing champion, is no stranger to endurance – nor to breaking records.

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In 1977, he persuaded legendary racing mechanic Leo Villa OBE – chief engineer to Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell and a key figure behind their historic land and water speed record efforts – to mentor him.

Villa came out of retirement to support Tony’s entry into Formula One powerboat racing where he achieved great success in Grand Prix events, including the famous Paris 6-hour race, competitions in Belgium and races on Lake Windermere, where he reached speeds of 158mph. 

Within just one year, Villa’s mentoring led to Tony breaking two world records and one British national record: the R6-category speed World Record (which remains unbroken today), the world production-engine powerboat record and the British National water speed record.

Tony came up with the idea to raise money for Make-A-Wish after a life-changing accident in February 2021, where he was hit by a car travelling at 50mph while out on his daily walk during the covid pandemic.

He suffered severe injuries and was told he might never walk again. During his 18 month rehabilitation, he spent many hours on the cross trainer to regain strength in his legs. 

The experience inspired Tony, who has six children and 16 grandchildren, to want to help others, especially children, who are facing illness.

‘My greatest wish is to raise as much money as possible for the children,’ he said. ‘This is only the start of what I want to achieve for Make-A-Wish. I plan to take on more challenges, each one pushing me more than the last.

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What does he make of inevitable comparisons to the unforgettable Captain Tom? ‘People have kindly compared me to the late, great Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired us all with his garden laps for the NHS,’ he says. ‘I’m no Captain Tom, he was a true national hero who captured the hearts of the nation at 99. But like him, at 82, I simply wanted to push my limits for a cause bigger than myself.’

Pushing through the night, the team wrapped up the challenge and were helped from the water by crowds that had gathered, including Tony’s five siblings and his children and grandchildren.

Speaking as he celebrated with a large bottle of champagne, Tony says: ‘I’ve endured difficult physical challenges before, not least the journey that brought me to the point where I could even dream of walking on water. Yet I have no hesitation in calling this the toughest of them all. When I felt like quitting, my team kept reminding me of the children we are doing this for and together we pushed on to the end.’

Depleted but not defeated, the irrepressible pensioner is already cooking up another challenge. ‘We made it – battered, exhausted but unbroken and already thinking of the next,’ he says.  

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‘I rebuilt myself step by step,’ he said. ‘But this isn’t just about me. It’s about proving what’s possible, no matter your age or circumstances. 

To donate to Tony’s fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/page/tonywalkonwater

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