The 2024 United Kingdom general elections stand out as a unique moment in the country’s long history of parliamentary politics. For the first time, a prime minister with family roots in India, a former British colony, is seeking re-election. Rishi Sunak, the incumbent prime minister, not only boasts Indian heritage but is also connected to India through his wife, Akshata Murty, an Indian citizen. These elections occur against a backdrop of unprecedented challenges for the UK and Europe. The scars of the Covid-19 pandemic still linger, and the ramifications of Brexit, the British exit from the European Union (EU), are being intensely scrutinized. The election is also overshadowed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, plunging Europe into its most significant security crisis since World War II.
This election marks the first since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020, following years of complex negotiations. The promises of Brexit, which aimed to regain control of British policies, secure borders, boost economic growth, and restore national pride, have been met with mixed results. In the four years since Brexit, the UK has experienced three changes in prime minister, entered a recession, and faced numerous political scandals, along with uncomfortable conversations about race and identity. As British voters head to the polls after 14 years of Conservative Party rule, the question of whether Brexit has lived up to its promises hangs heavy in the air.
The 2024 elections also represent the first since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, bringing the world to a standstill and leaving a trail of economic devastation, death, and suffering. Even the renowned British National Health Service (NHS) faced immense pressure and mismanagement. Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, was embroiled in numerous scandals, including parties held at his official residence while the rest of the UK, including the late Queen, adhered to lockdown restrictions. Voters will be casting their ballots with the Conservative Party’s handling of the pandemic front of mind, a period marked by recession, unprecedented strain on the NHS, ineffective public messaging, and internal conflicts among senior government figures.
Beyond economic and political challenges, the incoming prime minister will also face a formidable security threat: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conflict presents the most significant security risk to Europe since World War II. For the UK, the Russian invasion serves as a stark reminder of the early invasions of European countries by Nazi Germany before the outbreak of World War II. The Russian invasion poses an existential threat to the security of both the UK and Europe, a threat unlike anything witnessed in three generations.
While differing in their positions and party affiliations, most political leaders in the UK share a united stance on the Ukrainian issue. The UK has been one of Ukraine’s most ardent supporters among European nations. Johnson, the former prime minister, was the first major Western leader to visit Kyiv during the initial stages of the Russian assault. Sunak, the incumbent prime minister, has continued to provide unwavering support to Ukraine, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader and potential future prime minister, has pledged to maintain this support.
The 2024 UK general elections also mark a historic turning point in the country’s political landscape, as Rishi Sunak, the incumbent prime minister, is the first person of Indian origin, the first Hindu, and the first person of color to hold this position. This milestone represents a significant shift in British society, which was once deeply entrenched in a ‘White Man’s Burden’ mentality. Sunak’s ascendance to the top position of power has been hailed as a watershed moment in British politics. “I stand before you today as the first non-white leader in our country’s history,” Sunak declared last year at the Conservative Party’s conference. He has embraced his Hindu upbringing and his connection to India, stating that his faith guides him in his role as Prime Minister. Sunak has also emphasized the values that his grandparents brought with them when they emigrated to the UK, “They came here because our country stands for a set of values. We are the home of fair play, the best of British.”
The 2024 UK general elections are not just about choosing a new leader but also about charting a course for the future. The nation is at a crossroads, grappling with the legacies of Brexit, the pandemic, and the ongoing global security challenges. The outcome of the elections will have profound implications for the UK’s place in the world, its economic future, and its social fabric.
