ELECTIONS-Britons vote this Thursday to renew the 650 seats in the House of Commons. Polls across the UK are unanimous: Rishi Sunak is unlikely to remain Prime Minister after Friday.
As Britons vote in Thursday’s general election, a new chapter in the country’s history is set to begin. The Conservative Party, after 14 tumultuous years in power, is facing severe unpopularity.
The question now is not whether the Conservatives will lose, but by how much Labour will win and the extent of Rishi Sunak’s defeat, as he has failed to gain any significant momentum after 20 months in office. Approximately 46 million voters are expected to cast their ballots to renew the 650 seats in the House of Commons. Each MP is elected through a single-member district plurality voting system. Polling stations will be open from 7 AM to 10 PM.
Numerous Crises Since 2010
From Brexit turmoil and managing the Covid-19 pandemic to soaring prices, increased poverty, an overstretched public health system, and a revolving door of Prime Ministers, the succession of crises since 2010 has created a strong desire for change. In recent days, even Conservatives have admitted they are fighting not to win but to limit Labour’s promised majority.
Barring any surprises, it will be Keir Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, who will be tasked by King Charles III on Friday to form a government. Starmer has shifted his party back to the center-left and promised a return to “serious” governance.
For Rishi Sunak, the fifth Conservative Prime Minister in 14 years, this election marks the end of a campaign that has become an ordeal. Despite trying to take the initiative by calling for an early election in July rather than waiting until autumn, the disastrous image of his announcement in the pouring rain without an umbrella lingered, leaving his party seemingly unprepared.
Sunak, a 44-year-old former investment banker and finance minister, has made numerous missteps and appeared politically tone-deaf. His strategy largely involved accusing Labour of planning to raise taxes, and in recent days, warning of the risks of a “super majority” that would leave Labour without any checks and balances, effectively conceding defeat.
In contrast, Keir Starmer has highlighted his modest beginnings—his mother was a nurse, and his father was a toolmaker—standing in stark contrast to his multimillionaire opponent. To counter right-wing attacks and distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn’s costly program, Starmer has promised strict management of public finances with no tax increases. He aims to revive growth through stability, state interventions, and infrastructure investments. However, he has cautioned that he does not have a “magic wand,” and Britons, according to polls, have tempered expectations for significant change.
