On Thursday, voters in the United Kingdom headed to the polls for a parliamentary election expected to bring Keir Starmer’s Labour Party into power, ending the 14-year rule of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.
Opinion polls indicate a significant lead for Starmer’s center-left party. Many voters are reportedly seeking change after years of internal strife within the Conservative Party, which has seen five prime ministers in the last eight years.
Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, may inherit a substantial agenda but will face challenges due to limited financial resources and a lack of strong public support. In his address to voters, Starmer emphasized the need for change and urged support for the Labour Party.
Polling stations across the country opened at 6:00 a.m. GMT. Sunak, 44, cast his vote early alongside his wife, Akshata Murty, in the Richmond district he represents. Starmer voted later in the morning with his wife in his north London constituency.
Sunak, who called the election earlier than anticipated, has recently shifted his focus from securing a fifth Conservative term to warning against a Labour majority. He claims a Labour government would increase taxes, hinder economic recovery, and weaken Britain’s position during geopolitical tensions—assertions Labour denies.
Sunak cautioned voters against a Labour victory, suggesting it would harm the country’s economy, much like previous Labour administrations. Voting concludes at 10:00 p.m. GMT, with an exit poll providing initial results, followed by detailed official results early on Friday.
If the opinion polls prove accurate, Britain will join other European nations in holding their governments accountable for the economic struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Unlike France, the UK seems poised to shift to the center-left rather than the far-right.
Labour has maintained a substantial poll lead since Sunak replaced Liz Truss in October 2022. Truss’s short tenure, marked by economic turmoil, led to her resignation after just 44 days.
Pollsters predict a historic victory for Labour, potentially exceeding the majorities achieved by Tony Blair or Margaret Thatcher. However, a significant number of undecided voters and potential low turnout could influence the final outcome.
In the 2019 election, the Conservatives, under Boris Johnson, secured a substantial victory, with many expecting the party to remain in power for a decade. Starmer, who succeeded Jeremy Corbyn, has since moved Labour towards the center, recovering from its worst defeat in 84 years.
The Conservative Party has faced numerous challenges, including scandals under Johnson and the divisive aftermath of the Brexit vote. Truss’s brief leadership further damaged the party’s economic reputation, leaving Sunak to stabilize the situation. Despite achieving some economic improvements, the party’s poll numbers have remained low.
Sunak’s campaign has experienced several setbacks, including controversial decisions and allegations of election-related misconduct. The emergence of Nigel Farage leading Reform UK has also impacted Conservative support, while the Liberal Democrats are expected to perform well in southern England.
Labour may also see gains in Scotland, where the Scottish National Party has faced its own issues. However, Starmer will face significant challenges if he becomes Prime Minister. His campaign promise of “Change” resonated with voters frustrated by public service cuts and declining living standards. Yet, with high taxes and national debt, his ability to implement rapid improvements will be limited.
Starmer has tempered expectations, warning that immediate fixes are unlikely and emphasizing the need for international investment to address long-term challenges. Meanwhile, Sunak argues that his tenure has set the economy on the right track and warns against allowing Labour to reverse this progress.
