Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited Medway this morning after an historic win at the local elections.

It comes as Medway Labour group took majority control of Medway Council for the first time early this morning, gaining 33 seats compared to the Conservatives 22 and four for the Independents.

In a visit at Sun Pier, in Chatham, Sir Keir said “fantastic” council results show Labour is on course to win the next general election, as Rishi Sunak remained defiant despite heavy losses.

The Labour leader told jubilant supporters they are progressing towards a majority in Westminster as initial local election results saw his party seize key battlegrounds - including Medway - from the Tories.

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Labour snatched Medway off the Tories and will run the council for the first time since 1998, with the outgoing Conservative council leader telling No 10 to “get their act together” on multiple fronts.

To the cheers of Labour activists in Medway, Sir Keir said: “You didn’t just get it over the line, you blew the doors off.”

He said there have been “fantastic results across the country” in “battlegrounds” and “places we need to win”, citing victories in Plymouth, Stoke and Middlesbrough.

“And make no mistake, we are on course for a Labour majority at the next general election,” he said.

Sir Keir said Labour has made a “positive case” on how it would help people with the cost-of-living crisis as Mr Sunak “said nothing”.