Keir Starmer: Labour on track to win general election after local results

Opposition leader hails very, very good' outcome of local elections after his party takes control of key councils

• England local elections - latest updates

Keir Starmer has said the Labour party is on track to win the next general election, after taking control of key councils in the English local elections, including Medway, Plymouth and Stoke-on-Trent.

Based on results counted early on Friday morning, the Labour leader said the party was heading for a result that if repeated across the country at a general election would give it an eight-point lead over the Conservatives.