Understanding the 2024 UK General Election
British voters are heading to the polls on July 4, 2024, for a pivotal general election that serves as a referendum on 14 years of Conservative rule. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for an early vote, catching many in his party off guard. The Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, looks poised for a major comeback after suffering its worst defeat since 1935 in the last general election.
Campaign Highlights and Key Issues
The six-week campaign saw major parties traversing the country to gather support. The primary debate topics included the economy, the cost of living, public services, taxes, and immigration. Notably absent from the discourse was Britain's relationship with the European Union, which it left in 2020. During the campaign, Nigel Farage re-entered the political arena to lead Reform UK, further complicating the landscape for the Conservatives.
Polls and Forecasts: A Grim Outlook for the Tories
Recent polls indicate a bleak future for the Conservatives, with Labour leading at 40%, the Tories at 20.7%, and Reform UK at 16.2%. Forecasts predict Labour could secure between 329 to 520 seats, while the Conservatives might win only 28 to 209 seats. This could make Sunak the first incumbent prime minister to lose his seat. The Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, and other smaller parties are also expected to gain varying numbers of seats.
- Around 46.5 million Britons are eligible to vote in 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. A party needs 326 seats to form a majority government.
- The media is prohibited from reporting anything that could influence voters while the polls are open. An exit poll will project seat totals when polls close at 10 pm local time, with counting continuing through the night.
- The last parliamentary election in December 2019 saw the Conservatives win 365 seats, Labour 202 seats, the SNP 48 seats, and the Liberal Democrats 11 seats.
