Opinion polls indicate that Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is on track to win a landslide victory in the parliamentary election, potentially ending the 14-year reign of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives. However, these polls also reflect a desire for change among voters after a period of internal strife and instability under the Conservatives, which saw five prime ministers in eight years.
Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, acknowledges the immense challenges he would face if he were to take office. With an extensive to-do list and limited support or financial resources, he would need to navigate a complex set of issues. He has urged voters to support Labour for the change they seek.
The election took place on Thursday, with polling stations opening at 0600 GMT. Sunak, along with his wife, voted early in his electoral district, while Starmer cast his ballot later in his north London constituency.
Sunak, who initially called for a fifth consecutive Conservative victory, has shifted his focus to warning against the potential dangers of an unchallenged Labour Party in parliament. He argues that a Labour government would raise taxes, hinder economic recovery, and leave Britain vulnerable amidst geopolitical tensions. Labour, however, denies these charges.
The outcome of the election will be revealed after voting ends at 10 p.m., with an exit poll providing the first indication of the results. Official results are expected in the early hours of Friday.
If the opinion polls are accurate, Britain would join other European countries in holding their governments accountable for the cost of living crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Unlike France, Britain seems poised to shift towards the center left rather than further right.
Labour has maintained a significant lead in polls since Sunak assumed leadership in 2022. Modelling by pollsters suggests that Labour could achieve one of the biggest election victories in British history, potentially surpassing the achievements of Tony Blair or Margaret Thatcher. However, a large number of voters remain undecided, and turnout may be low.
This potential outcome would have been unimaginable during the previous election in 2019 when Boris Johnson and the Conservatives secured a significant victory. At the time, many predicted that the Conservatives would remain in power for a decade or more, with Labour seemingly in decline.
Starmer, who took over as leader of Labour after their devastating defeat in 2019, has focused on moving the party back towards the center. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have faced scandals and internal divisions under Johnson’s leadership, damaging their reputation and failing to fulfill the demands of their voter base.
Sunak’s election campaign has been marred by a series of missteps, including leaving a D-Day event early and allegations of election gambling among aides. Additionally, the emergence of Nigel Farage leading the right-wing Reform UK party has eaten into Conservative support, while the centrist Liberal Democrats are expected to perform well in affluent areas of southern England.
Starmer may also benefit from a Labour recovery in Scotland following a funding scandal involving the Scottish National Party. However, his true test will come if he were to assume leadership in Downing Street. He has consistently warned that fixing the country’s problems would not be a quick task and has sought international investors to help address the challenges.
Sunak, on the other hand, argues that his tenure as Prime Minister has set the economy on an upward trajectory and that Labour should not be allowed to jeopardize this progress. Ultimately, it will be up to voters to decide which party they believe can bring about the change they desire.
