LONDON, England: In a highly anticipated general election, Britons voted on Thursday, likely ending nearly 15 years of Conservative rule. The opposition Labour party, led by Keir Starmer, is widely expected to win by a historic margin, based on consistent polling data throughout the campaign.
This election follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s unexpected decision to hold the vote six months earlier than required. His gamble appears to be backfiring, with polls indicating a significant defeat for the Conservative party. If the projections hold, Labour leader Keir Starmer, 61, is set to become the next Prime Minister, marking Labour’s first general election victory since 2005.
Voting began at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) across more than 40,000 polling stations in various venues, including schools, community centers, and even pubs. Prime Minister Sunak cast his vote early in his Yorkshire constituency. The mood among voters suggested widespread dissatisfaction with the current government. Ianthe Jacob, a recent returnee from Australia, expressed a common sentiment of disillusionment with the country’s direction under Conservative rule.
Polls will close at 10:00 pm (2100 GMT), with broadcasters immediately announcing exit polls, which typically provide a reliable indication of the final results. The official count will reveal the outcome from the UK’s 650 constituencies overnight, with the winning party needing 326 seats for a parliamentary majority.
The Conservatives are expected to be severely punished for their 14 years in power, potentially leading to a historic low in parliamentary seats. There is even speculation that Sunak might lose his own seat, making him the first sitting prime minister to do so in a general election.
Sunak’s campaign has been criticized as lackluster, notably his controversial early departure from D-Day commemorations in France. Major newspapers, including The Sun, the Financial Times, the Economist, and The Sunday Times, have switched their support to Labour, further signaling a shift in public sentiment.
Large-scale surveys by YouGov, Focaldata, and More in Common predict Labour will secure at least 430 seats, surpassing the 418 won under Tony Blair in 1997. The Conservatives are projected to drop to fewer than 127 seats, their worst-ever result. The centrist Liberal Democrats are expected to make significant gains, increasing their tally from 15 seats, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party could win a few seats, with Farage himself possibly becoming an MP.
If these predictions hold true, Sunak will visit King Charles III to tender his resignation as Prime Minister. Starmer will then be invited to form the next government. This marks a significant rise for Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and chief prosecutor, who was first elected as an MP in 2015. He has promised a “decade of national renewal,” though he faces significant challenges in revitalizing public services and the economy.
