May’s local elections are set to take place against a backdrop of uncertainty. For any governing Westminster party, local elections can be a lose-lose situation.

And as Sir Keir Starmer launched Labour’s local election campaign, the PM may have been forgiven for feeling a little sorry for the situation that he and his party are facing.

However, it is important for Labour to reflect on where the party finds itself and some of the decisions that the leadership has made that has seen it squander the trust the British public placed in it during the 2024 General Election.

Sir Keir’s Government has made far too many mistakes. The bungling of welfare reforms, ill-conceived inheritance tax proposals, winter fuel payments cuts, the list of U-turns just goes on and on.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during the launch of the Labour Party's local elections campaign. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

placeholder image — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during the launch of the Labour Party's local elections campaign. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The PM made a rod for his own back by appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. A scandal which continues to rumble on.

This is not what was promised to voters in 2024. Instead, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to deliver strong leadership that would put the country before the party.

While local elections should be about direct democracy in communities, often the Westminster picture casts a large shadow over voting intentions.

Despite Sir Keir insisting that Labour was going out into the campaign “on the front foot”, the party is approaching the May 7 elections struggling in the polls and facing challenges from both Reform UK to the right and a resurgent Green Party to the left. And the die may have already been cast in the minds of many voters.