Home of the British Army falls to Labour in historic coup: Party wins Rushmoor which has been run by the Tories for the last 24 years - as they taunt Rishi 'it's time for a general election'

Labour claimed a 'truly historic' result as they seized Rushmoor council directly from the Tories to end nearly a quarter-of-a-century of Conservative control. 

Sir Keir Starmer's party boasted of now being in charge of the 'home of the British Army' in a nod to the Hampshire authority's links to the military.

They taunted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that it was 'time for a general election' as they racked up a slew of victories in key council contests.

Labour were also celebrating wins in Hartlepool and Thurrock in the early hours of Friday morning. 

Labour won nine out of 13 seats up for grabs on Rushmoor Borough Council, with the Tories winning three and the Liberal Democrats one.

It gave Sir Keir's party a majority on the council as the Tories ceded control after 24 years in charge.

The council includes Aldershot, known as the home of the British Army, and Labour was keen to highlight that link as proof that the party had changed since Jeremy Corbyn's time as leader.

A party spokesperson said: 'This is a truly historic result.

'Rushmoor - the home of the British Army - has never had a majority Labour council before, and has been run by the Tories for the last 24 years.

'This result demonstrates just how much the Labour Party has changed and people in Rushmoor know that only Labour can deliver the change they want to see.

'A Labour gain for Rushmoor is a result Rishi Sunak cannot ignore. It's time for a general election.'

In another eye-catching victory for Labour, the party won control of Thurrock after starting the night as the second biggest party behind the Tories.

The Essex council, which had recently moved to no overall control because of defections, is in a strong Brexit-supporting part of the country.

It has also been among those local authorities in dire financial straits, with council tax having been hiked by an eye-watering 8 per cent last month.

Thurrock was effectively declared bankrupt in 2022 following a failed investment spree.

Labour hailed their victory in a key parliamentary battleground, with a party spokesperson saying: 'This is exactly the kind of place we need to be winning to gain a majority in a general election.

'The people of Thurrock have sent the Conservatives a message that they want change.'

Labour won nine of the 12 seats up for grabs in Hartlepool to gain control of the council, with independents winning two and the Conservatives one.

Hartlepool has a symbolic importance for Sir Keir after Labour lost the parliamentary by-election there in 2021.

A party spokesperson said: 'Winning back Hartlepool council is a groundbreaking moment after the disappointing results we saw here in 2021.

'Keir Starmer pledged to change the Labour Party after that result and today's win shows that this changed Labour Party is ready to deliver the change that communities like Hartlepool are crying out for.

'Making gains here shows that the party is on track to win a general election and is firmly back in the service of working people.'