𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour went into the crunch ballots expected to lose up to 1,850 councillors amid speculation over Sir Keir’s future. A national drubbing is likely to reignite speculation about his leadership of the party and the country.

As polls closed, it was reported that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had privately urged Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his departure.

Other Cabinet ministers are said to be considering leadership tilts, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also said to be planning a return to Westminster.

But Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy insisted Sir Keir would remain in office.

Mr Lammy pointed to poor local election results seen by other prime ministers who went on to win re-election.

He said: “I remember, after our huge victory in 1997, a very bad set of election results for Tony Blair in 1999.

“David Cameron lost successive local elections when he was in office, but went on to win the 2015 election.

“So it’s not unusual to be given a message by the electorate at mid-term elections.”