Conservatives Lose Long-Held Stronghold of Over 50 Years in UK Local Elections... Johnson Faces 'Crisis'

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In the local elections held across the UK, the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a virtual defeat as it lost its stronghold areas to the Labour Party, reported The Guardian and others on the 6th (local time). Voters disappointed by Johnson's scandal over violating quarantine rules known as 'Partygate' and the cost-of-living issues caused by soaring prices including energy bills appeared to turn their backs on the Conservative Party.

According to reports, in the local elections held the previous day, the Conservative Party lost the London Wandsworth, Westminster, and Barnet areas to the Labour Party. Wandsworth had been a Conservative stronghold since the 1970s, and Westminster and Barnet since 1964. They gave up constituencies maintained for over 50 years. The Conservative Party also lost Cumberland in England and Southampton to the Labour Party, and in West Oxfordshire and Portsmouth, the Liberal Democrats took the position of the largest party. As of 9 a.m. that day, The Guardian reported that the Conservative Party lost 122 seats in England.

In this election, about 7,000 councilors are being decided in approximately 200 constituencies across England, Scotland, and Wales. Voting ended at 10 p.m. the previous day, and counting began on the day, with results continuously coming in. Counting has not yet been completed. Earlier polls predicted that the Conservative Party would lose between 350 and 800 council seats.

As results showed the loss of key constituencies, calls for Prime Minister Johnson's responsibility are continuing within the Conservative Party. Amid pressure to resign due to Partygate, where he was fined for attending parties during COVID-19 lockdowns, this outcome has inevitably led to a rapid weakening of his position within the party. The Guardian stated, "Conservative MPs will decide within days whether to put Prime Minister Johnson to the test based on the local election results," adding, "54 letters are required to pass a vote of no confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.