UK General Election 2024: Labour Projected for Landslide Victory
Polling stations have opened in the United Kingdom for a general election expected to deliver a landslide victory for the opposition Labour Party after nearly a decade and a half of Conservative rule. Voting began at 7am GMT on Thursday in more than 40,000 polling stations across the country with an exit poll expected after polls close at 10pm GMT when counting will also start.
The centre-left Labour is projected to win its first general election since 2005, with several election eve polls forecasting its biggest-ever victory. Labour leader Keir Starmer was cautious, urging voters not to stay at home and emphasizing the importance of making their voices heard at the ballot box. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election six months earlier than expected, amidst a backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis, a declining National Health Service, and increasing distrust in institutions.
Polls indicate that voters are intent on punishing the Conservatives after 14 years of rule filled with scandals and controversies. The recent scandal involving party officials and candidates using inside information to place bets on the election date has further eroded public trust. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's lockdown-breaching parties and his successor Liz Truss's short-lived tenure have fueled public anger.
As election results unfold, there are speculations that multiple government ministers, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, may lose their seats. The possibility of Sunak failing to retain his seat would be a historic event. The lack of trust in the political class has also opened space for leaders like Nigel Farage of the anti-immigrant Reform UK party to gain traction with his anti-immigration stance. Additionally, the centrist Liberal Democrats and the Green Party are hopeful of attracting disaffected voters.
With the UK election poised to reshape the political landscape, the outcome will not only decide the country's future trajectory but also mirror the changing sentiments of its citizens towards governance and leadership.
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