Sheffield MP's weigh in on Keir Starmer’s suitability as Labour leader

Senior Labour figures have warned the party must urgently respond to voters after heavy losses in Sheffield’s local elections, with one MP suggesting Sir Keir Starmer should consider his future as leader.

Labour suffered a difficult day at the count, losing seven seats and making no gains.

Sheffield MP's weigh in on Keir Starmers suitability as Labour leader | IM

placeholder image — Sheffield MP's weigh in on Keir Starmers suitability as Labour leader | IM

The party managed to hold onto just four seats contested during the election.

Based on the latest results, Labour now holds 27 seats on Sheffield City Council - still the largest party on the authority, but 16 seats short of the 43 needed for an overall majority.

One of the most significant defeats came with the loss of former Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt, who was ousted by just 73 votes.

Speaking to the BBC, Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake said she believed Labour councillors had been punished by voters for decisions made nationally rather than locally.

Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam | UK Parliament

“My heart goes out to all the hardworking councillors… they have been punished for decisions that weren’t taken by them,” she said.

Blake also questioned whether Sir Keir Starmer would remain leader by the time of the next general election, telling the BBC: “I think we are kidding ourselves if we think that Keir Starmer will be leading us into the next election.

“There needs to be a plan now for what comes next.”

Her comments came as Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley Louise Haigh also warned the party must listen carefully to the message sent by voters.

Haigh, speaking to BBC Look North, said dissatisfaction with the prime minister had been raised repeatedly on the doorstep during campaigning.

However, Haigh, who is regarded as an influential voice on Labour’s soft left and is closely associated with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, stopped short of calling for a leadership challenge.

She argued Labour could not afford to descend into a divisive internal contest at a critical moment.

She told the BBC that Starmer was performing strongly on international affairs and said stability remained important, but warned the government would need to make significant changes if it hoped to rebuild support.

The election results leave Sheffield City Council under no overall control.

Alongside Labour’s reduced total of 27 seats, the Liberal Democrats now hold 23 seats, the Greens 20, Reform UK 13, and independents one seat.