The SNP claims they will "hold the balance of power" at the next General Election after an expert projected Labour would have a nine-point lead over the Tories in the English council results. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said "it's increasingly clear the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next election" as experts said it remains uncertain over whether Labour will win a majority.
The Conservatives had lost more than 450 seats after half of the councils had declared their results. Labour had gained more than 250, while the Lib Dems had gained over 100 and the Greens had gained just under 100. UK Labour leader Keir Starmer had told supporters on Friday morning they are progressing towards a Westminster majority as the results saw his party win key areas from the Tories.
But experts had suggested that Labour would be the biggest party but may struggle for a majority. Sky News elections analyst Michael Thrasher said on Friday afternoon: "Critically, in terms of looking at the outcome on a general election, you would say that Labour are set to become the largest party but in a hung parliament".
