In a dramatic turn of events, British voters took to the polls on Thursday in the country’s first general election since 2019. The anticipated showdown pitted the Labour Party against the Conservative Party, with an exit poll suggesting a momentous victory for the Labour Party, projecting a whopping 410 seats over the Conservative Party.
Among the notable figures casting their votes were incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was forecast to be ousted from power after 14 years in office, and his formidable opponent, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about the 2024 British general election.
In the U.K., voters were not directly electing a new leader. Instead, they were selecting their local representatives for the House of Commons, with 650 parliamentary seats up for grabs. To secure a majority in the Commons, a party needed to clinch at least 326 seats. The exit poll projected the Conservative Party to secure only 131 seats, while the Labour Party was poised to grab 410 seats.
Ahead of the election, the long-ruling Conservative Party dissolved Parliament, wielding considerable power to set policy agendas. The voting system in the U.K. operates using a first-past-the-post system, allowing voters to choose one candidate from a list representing various parties. This system has been criticized for cementing the domination of the major parties, the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.
On election day, the results trickled in with Labour in the lead, poised for a landslide win, according to polling data. If Labour clinches the majority, it would mark a significant shift in power after a prolonged period of Conservative rule fraught with political and economic upheavals.
The likely next prime minister, Keir Starmer, has faced criticism for his leadership style but has strategically positioned Labour towards the center of British politics for wider appeal. His tactics have paid off, as Labour is predicted to win a decisive victory.
While Europe witnesses a surge of far-right parties, Britain appears to be bucking the trend with a projected center-left government under Labour. However, the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party suggests a growing support base for far-right ideologies, posing a potential challenge to the Conservative Party’s voter share.
As the dust settles on the British general election, a new era may dawn with Keir Starmer at the helm, reshaping the political landscape with a Labour majority. Stay tuned for more updates on this compelling race.
