Andy Street, the Conservative candidate, was defeated in the West Midlands mayoral race, marking a significant loss for the Tory party. This defeat was part of wider Labour victories across England, including a landmark third term win for Sadiq Khan as Mayor of London. The election results also saw Labour triumphs in Liverpool, South Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, with the Conservatives only retaining the Tees Valley.

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman responded to the defeats by criticizing Downing Street leadership, warning against the replacement of the party leader as a solution. Meanwhile, calls for stronger leadership surfaced, citing figures like Rishi Sunak as potential leaders.

In his victory speech, Sadiq Khan called for a general election, a sentiment echoed by Labour leader Keir Starmer. Starmer heavily criticized the current government, labelling it as a “zombie government” too focused on culture wars rather than pressing national issues. He expressed Labour’s readiness for a national renewal and emphasized the need to garner and maintain public trust.

The election outcomes demonstrated a shift in voter preference across England, evidenced by Labour’s gains and Conservative losses in council seats. The results have set the stage for potentially transformative changes in the UK’s political landscape.