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Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say Labour will meet the challenges with hope and call on people to stand together as he accuses his opponents of stoking division

Keir Starmer will pledge to offer "pride and hope" in a crisis-hit world as he sets out his stall for May's local elections.

The Prime Minister is expected to accuse opposition parties of stoking division amid a "war on two fronts" in Iran and Ukraine. He will launch the campaign urging people to "stand together" under Labour's election slogan: "Pride in Britain."

Voters will cast their ballots for local councils in England, and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales in the biggest set of polls since the 2024 general election. It marks a major test for the PM's leadership as Labour braces for a rough ride at the ballot box.

Mr Starmer will say: "This is about pride and hope. That is the political choice in this election. Our opponents respond to this war on two fronts by dividing our communities. We meet this test by unlocking the pride that is our communities."

In an appeal his troops, he will tell the event in the West Midlands: "So we meet this moment with hope. The hope of an NHS were waiting lists are coming down – and they are.

"The hope of a country were wages for working people are rising – and they are. And the hope of a country where poverty is being slashed and our children have a better future – and it is. That is what we are building. That is what we are fighting for.”

He will add: "We're going to fight to earn every vote. Fight for our values. And fight for the country we are building together, a Britain built for all.

"Because, in the context of everything that is happening in the world. Those values, that fairness we stand for, it's never been more important."

The elections on May 7 will be a make-or-break moment for all the parties, but there is particular pressure on Labour as many contests take place in heartland areas. Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said: "It's a big test, particularly in Labour Britain. Scotland and Wales, of course, historically relatively strong Labour territory and in England, the local elections are taking place disproportionately in places where Labour is strong, including not least in London, which these days is Labour's strongest area."

The elections will also be a major test for Reform and Greens as the insurgent parties seek to seize ground from both the Tories and Labour. Prof Curtice said national polls showed support for Nigel Farage's party has been slipping, sitting between 26 and 27 per cent, rather than the 30 per cent level it had been on for the past year. The buoyant Greens will face pressure to translate their improved polling into actual seats.