Local elections 2023: Starmer warns Labour ‘hardest part lies ahead

Sir Keir Starmer has urged his senior shadow ministers to do more work after the Labour Party recorded strong local election results last week, saying the “hardest part lies ahead” and the party must prove it can form a “big reforming government.” Labour gained over 500 councillors while the Conservatives lost over 1,000. Starmer is set to meet with leaders of all 22 councils won by Labour, with a task of creating “emergency cost of living plans” within their first 100 days, along with a review of local housing and development policies. 

Labour won some key areas – including areas that heavily voted for Brexit, such as Dover and Stoke on Trent. Starmer will tell the shadow cabinet that “people who turned away from us during the Corbyn years and the Brexit years are coming back”.

“But there is understandably a lot of scepticism about politics out there and now we need to go from reassurance to hope,” he will say.

“We need to show that we will be a big reforming government bringing hope of a better life for working people.”

Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy has confirmed reports that Labour is considering raising stamp duty for overseas buyers and preventing them from buying over 50% of new developments.