The UK is on the brink of a political shift as the Labour Party is predicted to secure a landslide victory in the upcoming general election. According to a survey for UK broadcasters, Labour is projected to win 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, granting them a 170-seat majority and marking their return to power for the first time since 2010. This outcome would see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, facing a significant challenge.
The Conservative Party is expected to capture only 131 seats, marking a historic low. Meanwhile, the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, is projected to win 13 seats, potentially dividing the right-wing vote. The smaller opposition Liberal Democrats are also projected to gain significant ground, securing 61 seats and surpassing the Scottish National Party as the third-largest party.
This anticipated outcome presents a stark contrast to the rightward shift witnessed in Britain’s closest Western allies, where far-right parties are gaining momentum. For example, the far-right in France is eyeing power, and Donald Trump appears poised for a comeback in the United States.
British newspapers are highlighting the potential return of Labour to power, marking the first time since Gordon Brown’s tenure in 2010. Labour-supporting newspapers such as the Daily Mirror ran the headline “Keir We Go,” while The Sun proclaimed “Britain sees red.”
Both Keir Starmer, Labour leader, and Rishi Sunak have expressed gratitude to their activists for their hard work and support during the campaign. However, senior Labour officials have been cautious about celebrating the projected victory, with official results expected into Friday morning.
The counting of ballots from over 40,000 polling stations across the UK is ongoing. The first result was announced just over an hour after polls closed, with Bridget Phillipson of the Labour Party being re-elected as the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South in northeast England.
