Keir Starmer hates to lose. Unsurprisingly, he refused to walk away and end his premiership as Labour’s local election losses began to trickle in on Friday morning. Upon entering Downing Street in July 2024 after leading Labour to a historic general election victory, Starmer promised the public that his government would “fight every day until you believe again”. Now, Starmer is faced with the uncomfortable truth that the frustrated yet united coalition that brought him into No 10 hoping for change is completely fractured and its discontent cannot be dismissed as early midterm blues. The challenge Labour faces is multidirectional, which could prove difficult for strategists around Starmer who have been focused on the threat of Reform. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA The cracks are showing very close to the political backyards of Starmer and his top team. Reform UK has pushed through into Labour’s old working-class heartlands across parts of northern England and the Midlands, many of which voted for Brexit.…