Keir Starmer is pleased with the results of the local elections in Bury and Bolton after the Labour Party made progress in both boroughs.

The leader of the opposition responded to the results of the local elections during an exclusive interview with the Bury Times this week.

On Bury Council, the Labour Group added two seats to its total and it remained in overall control. 

On Bolton Council, after the polls opened on May 4, the Labour Group became the largest group with 26 councillors.

Its leader, Nick Peel, replaced the minority administration of the Conservative Group with a minority administration of his own.

Sir Keir said: "We are pleased with the progress in Bolton and Bury. I think it is a reflection of the fact the Labour Party has changed and the Labour Party has focused on the issues which matter most to the people which is the cost of living crisis.

"We made progress but I am humble. We need to make more progress and we will only make it if we earn the votes of people in Bolton, Bury and other places across the region."

Sir Keir said the results were a important step towards taking back what are understood to be two of the top targets at the general election.

Conservatives James Daly and Mark Logan are sitting on majorities of around 100 and 400 in Bury North and Bolton North respectively.

He said: "They are important to us in terms of the progress we need to make into a general election.

"Bolton matters to us, Bury matters to us, and if we are privileged enough to form a Labour Government I want Bolton, Bury and other places to have a powerful voice. They will have it if we are able to earn enough votes to have Labour MPs return there."

He added: "I am confident the local elections show we are on course to form a Labour government.

"There was a strong feeling in the local elections we need a change because we need a government to come in that's going to clean up the mess that’s been made, to repair and rebuild the country and then to move us forward whether in Bolton, Bury or other places across the region.

"That’s why we need a change and I think more and more people are asking themselves after all these years is anything working better? I think that's a resounding 'no'."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.