Tories expect historic debacle
All signs point to the Tories facing an unprecedented bankruptcy. After 14 years, the Social Democrats in Britain could once again come to power - and they could secure their largest majority since 1832. Even Brexit initiator Farage could emerge from the sinking ship.
Britain is facing a historic election. According to the latest polls, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party are facing a heavy defeat. Keir Starmer from the Labour Party could become the new prime minister - as suggested by all the surveys. This would mark the end of 14 years of conservative rule. Polling stations opened at 8:00 am and closed at 10:00 pm Central European Time.
According to the polling institute YouGov, the Labour Party is set to secure the largest majority for a party since 1832, the institute revealed. This would mean the Labour Party would gain 431 of the total 650 seats in the House of Commons (House of Commons). With a current tally of 202 seats, the party would more than double its seats. The Conservatives, on the other hand, would reportedly lose 102 seats based on the polls. "What we're seeing here has never happened in British political history," said YouGov expert Patrick English to Sky News.
The Labour Party's front-runner and likely winner, Keir Starmer, campaigned for a change. Britain can't afford five more years of conservative rule, the 61-year-old announced.
The Liberal Democrats' performance is also eagerly anticipated, as some calculations suggest they could even replace the Conservatives as the largest opposition party. The right-wing populist Reform UK party from Nigel Farage, who once drove the Brexit movement forward, could also make its first entry into parliament. Experts predict that the former Brexit Party would cost the Conservatives many votes on the right.
Conservatives admit defeat in advance
Works Minister Mel Stride acknowledged in GB News that Labour was steering towards a landslide victory, "as this country has never experienced before." In the imminent defeat for the Tories, several current government members could lose their seats. Even Sunak himself was reportedly in danger of losing his seat, according to the Guardian. Sunak's constituency in the north of England is traditionally considered a safe seat for the Conservatives. It would be the first time in history for a sitting prime minister to lose his seat in parliament. In such a case, it is considered unlikely that Sunak would retain the party leadership.
However, even if the incumbent prime minister manages to return to parliament, his Conservatives would have to rebuild. With the moderate cabinet member Penny Mordaunt, as well as the hardliners Kemi Badenoch, the Economics Minister, and Suella Braverman, a former Home Minister, several candidates are warming up. Braverman emphasized in a guest article for the Telegraph: "The era is over, and we must prepare ourselves for the reality and frustration of opposition."
Sunak shows determination. If only 130,000 wavering voters in approximately 100 contested constituencies had given their votes to the Conservatives, the Tory result would look different, he claimed. However, Sunak's statements suggested more a damage limitation approach. Labour should not be allowed to gain a "supermajority," he warned. However, in the British political system, it makes no difference if a party has 10 or 200 seat advantage in Parliament.
The Conservative Tabloid Supports Labour Leader Starmer
Even many media outlets spoke in favour of the Labour Party. Recently, the tabloid "Sun," which usually holds conservative views, emphasized that Starmer deserved a chance. While the Labour Party still needs to significantly improve its stance on issues like immigration and taxes, Starmer is positively changing the party, the paper noted. However, the paper criticized the Conservatives for getting bogged down in internal party disputes instead of governing the country.
Reasons for the Conservatives' decline are numerous. The party underestimated the consequences of Brexit and failed to address the economic problems that arose from the EU exit. Numerous scandals and affairs, particularly involving former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, also contributed to the erosion of trust.
The same goes for chaotic economic plans from interim Prime Minister Liz Truss. Mortgage rates for buying properties rose significantly and continue to burden many people.
Five Prime Ministers in Eight Years
There has been a lack of personal stability for years. Sunak, who has been in office since October 2022, is already the fifth Prime Minister since the Brexit Referendum in 2016. There have been even more changes on cabinet posts.
With the polling stations closing at 10:00 PM Central European Time, a first projection is expected. Individual constituencies will still be counted until Friday morning. King Charles III. will officially commission the new Prime Minister for government formation on Friday.
Over 46 million people are eligible to vote, each with one vote. All seats in the House are given through a direct mandate. The candidate with the most votes in one of the 650 constituencies always wins. The absolute majority in the House of Commons is 326 seats.
The Conservative Party's potential defeat in the British House of Commons election could lead to Rishi Sunak losing his seat, making him the first sitting prime minister to lose in parliament's history. Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK party could potentially enter parliament, potentially costing the Conservatives votes on the right. Despite some cautionary statements from Rishi Sunak, the latest polls suggest a landslide victory for the Labor Party, led by Keir Starmer, who has campaigned for a change and criticized five more years of conservative rule.
