Today, Britain is voting in a general election expected to see a decisive victory for the opposition Labour party, potentially ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for the elections six months earlier than scheduled, marking the first national election since Boris Johnson’s 2019 victory.
The early election gamble by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may backfire spectacularly, as polls throughout the six-week campaign indicate a significant defeat for the Conservative Party.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, 61, is poised to likely secure a supermajority and move into Downing Street.
UK’s polling station for the general election
In the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system, voters choose representatives from 650 constituencies.
The party that wins the most seats, typically at least 326, forms the government, with its leader becoming Prime Minister.
If no party gains a majority, the current Prime Minister has the first chance to form a coalition government.
Got it! Here’s a summary of the main political parties participating in the election:
The Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is facing a challenging election amid predictions of a heavy defeat.
Labour, led by Keir Starmer, is expected to perform strongly and potentially secure a supermajority, positioning Starmer for Downing Street.
The Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, are also contesting, aiming to increase their representation.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, presents an alternative platform in the election.
The Scottish National Party (SNP), led by John Swinney, focuses on Scotland’s interests within the UK context.
The Green Party, co-led by Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, advocates for environmental policies and social justice.
These parties are vying for seats across 650 constituencies, with the outcome determining the composition of the next UK government.
