Election in Great Britain - Forecast: crushing election defeat for British government
"Slide", "Massacre" - the reactions to the forecast for the Parliament election in Britain are drastic. According to the exit poll, the Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is recording the worst result in its history.
According to the forecast, the Labour Party, which has been in opposition, is set to receive 410 of the 650 seats. The Conservatives are predicted to secure 131. For the prime minister, it's more than just a defeat, it's a humiliation. His party may now have to face a complete restructuring. Starmer, the Labour Party leader, could move into Downing Street as the new prime minister.
The 14-year reign of the Tories is coming to an end
Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy party leader, reacts with restrained excitement. She tells Sky News shortly after polling stations closed that it's an "encouraging result," but it could still take hours for all votes to be counted. However, the most significant result of the election is no longer in question: The 14-year reign of the Conservative Tories is coming to an end.
It's expected that several incumbent cabinet members will lose their parliamentary seats, including Jeremy Hunt, the first time a British finance minister has lost his seat. The former Conservative leader in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, speaks of a "massacre." Sky News reporter Beth Rigby describes the predicted result as an "earthquake."
Labour losses not only to the Conservatives
The Conservatives are not only expected to lose seats to Labour. The Liberal Democrats seem poised to make significant gains at the expense of the Tories. They are predicted to secure 61 seats - up from the previous 11. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey is delighted, declaring that his party is on course for its best result in a century.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is also expected to suffer a heavy defeat. They can only secure ten seats according to the forecast. Nicola Sturgeon, the former Scottish first minister, tells the Press Association that it's "not a good night" for the SNP.
Jubilation for Reform UK, the right-wing populist party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. They are predicted to win 13 seats according to the exit poll. Farage's surprise candidacy may have significantly contributed to the poor Conservative result, as he alienated voters on the right.
Less enthusiasm for Labour than disdain for the Tories
Surprisingly, the predicted result is not what the polls have been indicating for some time: A clear Labour victory has been forecasted for a while. Sunak could barely make up ground in the campaign. His party had to deal with scandals and economic stagnation during the legislative period.
According to renowned pollster John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, the clear outcome of the election is not primarily due to enthusiasm for Labour but rather disdain for the previous ruling party. Sunak was already the third Conservative prime minister during the last legislative period, which was marked by economic stagnation and rising living costs.
Starmer was set to become prime minister as early as Friday.
Labour-Chef Starmer has led the Labour Party back to the political centre in the past few years, after it had moved significantly to the left under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. Additionally, he took a firm stance against anti-Semitic tendencies within his own ranks.
However, the former Opposition leader remained vague in many areas, such as plans for possible rapprochement with the European Union. Commentators compared his cautious approach to carrying a porcelain vase from the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
The power transfer in Britain is expected to be quick. As soon as the official result is confirmed, Starmer may be commissioned by King Charles III for government formation, and subsequently outline his vision for Britain in a Downing Street speech.
Reactions from Germany came in soon after the polling stations closed. "I am pleased about the great opportunity that, after years of tensions, a Labour Premier in London can now strike a friendly and constructive tone," SPD European politician Katarina Barley told the German Press Agency. The German government also reacted positively: "Congratulations to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party," wrote Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) on Twitter.
- In the wake of the forecast, the Conservative Party's leader, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is facing a humiliating election defeat, potentially leading to a complete party restructuring.
- At Downing Street, Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy party leader, expresses restrained excitement, acknowledging the encouraging results but emphasizing the need for patience as all votes are counted.
- Sky News reporter Beth Rigby describes the predicted outcome as an "earthquake," while Nigel Farage's right-wing populist party, Reform UK, is forecasted to win 13 seats, contributing to the Tories' poor result.
- The Scottish National Party (SNP) is expected to suffer a heavy defeat, securing only ten seats according to the forecast, causing Nicola Sturgeon to declare it as "not a good night" for the SNP.
- The Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, are predicted to make significant gains, potentially securing 61 seats, their best result in a century, with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey expressing delight.
- The Conservative Party is not only expected to lose seats to Labour but also to the Liberal Democrats and the right-wing populist Reform UK party, whose unexpected success may be attributed to Nigel Farage's candidacy.
- Pollster John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow suggests that the clear outcome of the election is not primarily due to enthusiasm for Labour but rather disdain for the previous ruling party, the Conservative Tories.
- According to Sky News, several incumbent cabinet members, including Jeremy Hunt, are predicted to lose their parliamentary seats, marking the first time a British finance minister has lost his seat in a Parliamentary election.
- With the forecast indicating a landslide victory for Labour, Keir Starmer could potentially become the new Prime Minister as early as Friday, outlined his vision for Britain in a Downing Street speech, and potentially forming a new government with Parliament's approval.
