In the wake of Labour's worst local election performance in decades, UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty has argued that the surge of the hard-right Reform UK party makes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's push for closer ties with the European Union more urgent than ever.
Speaking on Euronews' Europe Today, Doughty acknowledged that Labour's crushing defeat—losing more than 1,100 council seats and control of several long-held councils—reflects deep public frustration over migration and the economy. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, added over 1,300 seats in England and made gains in devolved elections in Wales and Scotland.
Doughty accused Farage of peddling "false promises" about Brexit. "He said Brexit would make us richer—it hasn't. He said it would bring down migration. In fact, migration went up," Doughty told Euronews. The minister stressed that the government must respond to voters' financial pressures, noting that "people are still feeling the pinch in their pocket."
Starmer's European Reset
Despite the electoral rout, Starmer has doubled down on his strategy of resetting relations with Brussels. In a speech following the results, he described the effort as "nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation." While ruling out rejoining the EU, the customs union, or the single market, Starmer has pursued closer cooperation on security, defence, and the economy.
Doughty defended this approach, insisting that the UK must work more closely with European partners "in what is a very turbulent world." He pointed to the upcoming UK-EU summit expected in summer 2026 as a key opportunity to deepen ties. The UK has already aligned itself with Brussels on foreign and security policy, including discussions over British support for the EU's €90 billion loan package for Ukraine.
Doughty rejected the notion that such participation amounts to "pay to play," calling it instead "a strategic investment" in European security. He highlighted the UK's £1.2 million (€1.38 million) commitment to efforts aimed at locating and returning abducted Ukrainian children taken during Russia's full-scale invasion. "That's the most heinous part of this," he said, accusing Moscow of attempting to erase Ukrainian culture, language, and identity.
The local election results have intensified internal pressure on Starmer, with some Labour MPs calling for a change in direction. However, Doughty argued that the Farage surge only reinforces the need for a strong European partnership. "This is a battle for the soul of our nation," he said, echoing Starmer's words.
For more on the broader European context, see our coverage of EU Defence Ministers Chart Strategy: Ukraine, Middle East, and European Readiness and Starmer Vows EU Reset After Local Election Rout, Faces Internal Revolt.
