Hartlepool

Keir Starmer left in limbo after bad election results that could have been worse

After Labour’s demise was overestimated, the prime minister’s potential challengers are staying quiet – for nowElections 2026 – live updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesAs the results rolled in, a trickle of voices were calling for Keir Starmer to quit – MPs from the governing Labour party, some trade union leaders, and a Labour peer.The numbers in England’s crucial local election results on Friday were undoubtedly bad for Labour, as Reform UK made sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the Midlands and north, including the historically deep red Sunderland and Hartlepool. These could even be the party’s worst losses for 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors gone alongside the potential loss of control of the Welsh parliament – and similar disappointment expected in Scotland. Continue reading...

What a crucial set of election results means for Keir Starmer’s future

What a crucial set of election results means for Keir Starmer’s future

After Labour’s demise was overestimated, the prime minister’s potential challengers are staying quiet – for nowElections 2026 – live updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesAs the results rolled in, a trickle of voices from MPs in the governing Labour party calling for Keir Starmer to name an exit date turned into a steady stream.The numbers in England’s crucial local election results on Friday were undoubtedly bad for Labour, as Reform UK made sweeping gains across pro-Brexit heartlands in the Midlands and north, including the historically deep red Sunderland and Hartlepool. These could even be the party’s worst losses for 50 years, with more than 1,000 councillors gone alongside the loss of control of the Welsh parliament – and similar disappointment expected in Scotland. Continue reading...

Why Stockport’s Dave Challinor stands out as the master of a promotion push

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Why Stockport’s Dave Challinor stands out as the master of a promotion push

Manager has finished in a playoff spot or higher every year bar one in his 16 seasons with four clubs and is preparing for Stevenage test“I’ve been through absolutely everything,” says Dave Challinor. “I’ve won and lost eliminators, won and lost semi-finals and finals, won and lost on penalties. I’ve even had goalkeepers score against me.”When it comes to the playoffs and promotion, few can match Challinor in terms of experience. For 15 of his 16 seasons as a manager his teams – Colwyn Bay, Fylde, Hartlepool and more recently Stockport – have finished in a playoff spot or higher. The exception came in 2019-20 when he moved mid-campaign. When Stockport begin their League One playoff campaign with a semi-final first leg away at Stevenage on Saturday, it will be Challinor’s 12th playoff experience, at every level from the Northern Premier League to League One. Continue reading...

Guardian Sport

Keir Starmer’s leadership on line after Labour’s disastrous election night

Keir Starmer’s leadership on line after Labour’s disastrous election night

No 10 prepares for battle as party loses seats in heartlands and control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and TamworthElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesHartlepool once nearly triggered Keir Starmer’s resignation; local election results overnight mean it may yet do so in the coming days.Five years ago, Labour crashed to a humiliating defeat in a byelection for the city’s Westminster seat, prompting Starmer to consider resigning as opposition leader. Continue reading...

Labour’s disastrous night puts focus on Keir Starmer’s future as leader

Labour’s disastrous night puts focus on Keir Starmer’s future as leader

Leadership in peril as party loses seats in heartlands and control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and TamworthElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesHartlepool once nearly triggered Keir Starmer’s resignation – results overnight mean it may yet do so in the coming days.Five years ago, Labour crashed to a humiliating defeat in a byelection for the city’s Westminster seat, prompting Starmer to consider resigning as opposition leader. Continue reading...

Labour losses pile up in England local elections as Reform UK makes gains

Labour losses pile up in England local elections as Reform UK makes gains

Reform runaway winners in north-east, likely pushing Labour into opposition in Hartlepool, with other losses for Starmer in Chorley, Wigan, Redditch and TamworthElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesThe scale of the electoral challenge facing Labour was laid bare overnight as the party haemorrhaged councillors at the local elections and Reform made significant gains.Keir Starmer’s party went into Thursday’s local elections expected to lose up to 1,850 councillors, with senior figures describing the contest as “tough”. Continue reading...