Sir Keir Starmer has sacked Angela Rayner as Labour Party chair, Sky News understands.

Ms Rayner remains the party’s deputy leader as that is an elected position.

“Keir said he was taking full responsibility for the result of the elections – and he said we need to change,” a Labour source said about the decision.

“That means change how we run our campaigns in the future.

“Angela will continue to play a senior role in Keir’s team.”

The shock move comes after a mixed night for Labour in elections across the UK, in what was the first electoral test of Sir Keir’s stewardship of the party.

Labour lost Hartlepool to the Conservatives for the first time since the seat was formed in 1974, while the party has so far posted a net loss of six councils and more than 200 councillors in England.

And Labour also failed to win mayoral contests in the West Midlands and Tees Valley.

However, the party exceeded expectations in Wales, with Mark Drakeford winning a working Senedd majority.

Meanwhile, the party gained the West of England mayoralty from the Conservatives and won the Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region contests.

Speaking on Friday, Sir Keir said he took “full responsibility” for Labour’s performance and was “bitterly disappointed”.

But the party’s performance has sparked recriminations about the direction of the party under Sir Keir’s leadership, with some Labour figures demanding a change in strategy.

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