Keir Starmer visit to Essex ahead of May 2 elections

Sir Keir visited Harlow alongside deputy leader Angela Rayner today to encourage party activists to continue their work taking Labour's offer to voters ahead of the local elections.

Speaking - Sir Keir during his visit (Image: PA)

In their visit, he addressed campaigners at Harlow Town Football Club.

The visit came as politicians and canvassers began their final day of campaigning as voters in England and Wales will go to the polls on May 2 for local, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner elections.

Passionate - Sir Keir Starmer speaking to residents (Image: PA)

The polls are the final test of public opinion at the ballot box ahead of the next general election, which Rishi Sunak has said will come in the second half of 2024.

Forecasts suggest the elections could see the Conservatives lose up to half of the council seats they are defending across 107 councils, having lost a third of seats last year.

Visit - Angela Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer with Labour party activists (Image: PA)

Most of the seats up for re-election were last contested in 2021, at the peak of Boris Johnson’s popularity as the Covid-19 vaccine was rolled out.

A wave of defeats for Mr Sunak could be enough to push more Tory MPs into seeking to replace him as leader before the general election, though all counts will not be declared until Sunday, May 5.