UK Europe Minister Stephen Doughty stated that Labour Party leader Keir Starmer took responsibility for the losses in the local elections. In an interview with Euronews, Doughty argued that the Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage made misleading promises to voters.
Doughty expressed that post-Brexit economic expectations were not met and that immigration did not decrease but rather increased. While Reform UK won more than 1300 local council seats across England, the Labour Party lost more than 1100 seats and lost control of some councils it had long held.
Following the election results, Starmer announced he would fight against skeptics within his party and face the major challenges the country is confronting. Doughty noted that the public is reacting due to economic hardships and that the government needs to respond to this situation.
Nevertheless, Starmer continues to argue that the UK should increase cooperation with the European Union in security, defense, and economic fields. Minister Doughty highlighted the importance of the country working more closely with its allies ahead of the upcoming UK-EU summit in summer 2026.
Although Starmer stated there is no plan to rejoin the EU, customs union, or single market, it is observed that the UK is increasing its alignment with Brussels in foreign policy and security areas. Lastly, it was reported that the UK and EU are negotiating a 90 billion Euro credit package for Ukraine and that the UK allocated 1.2 million pounds to find Ukrainian children missing during Russia's invasion.
Doughty condemned these supports as strategic investments for European security and Russia's efforts to destroy Ukrainian culture. Details of the process and official announcements to be made in the future will be followed.
